Qatar organizes high level round table on protection of major sporting events, use of sports values for prevention of violent extremism

The State of Qatar organized a high-level round table on the protection of major sporting events and the use of sports' values for the prevention of violent extremism, in partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Generation Amazing, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi affirmed in the State of Qatars speech before the high-level round table that Qatars strategy to prevent and combat violent extremism focuses in particular on building resilience among young people through education and increasing economic opportunities, as well as through sports. Based on the State of Qatar's belief in the ability of sports to provide a space for learning and improve understanding and peaceful coexistence, the State works hard to promote sports as a means to enhance the ability of young people to confront crime and violence, including in the context of preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism, HE added. His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar realizes the importance of the transformative power inherent in sport, and is working to harness this power to its fullest potential. For example, the State of Qatar is one of the largest donors to the UNOCT, HE pointed out, affirming Qatar's pride in its funding of the multi-year global program for the Protection of Major Sporting Events and the Use of Sports Values for the Prevention of Violent Extremism. HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said the program seeks to prevent violent extremism by building resilience, especially among youth, and supports awareness among Member States of the threats related to terrorism and against targets at risk in the context of major sporting events. It also supports their capabilities to prevent and combat these threats, within the framework of belief in the responsibility entrusted to the international community to protect major sporting events from terrorist threats, as events that achieve the common good of all mankind, HE noted. His Excellency pointed out that the UNOCT's International Hub on Behavioral Insights to Counter Terrorism, based in Doha, is among the important initiatives that enjoy the support of the State of Qatar. He explained that the center is a global platform for generating knowledge about behavioral visions to prevent and combat terrorism, to disseminate lessons learned and good practices, as well as to create a professional network of experts, academics, practitioners and policy makers. He added that the State of Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup 2022 from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, 2022, the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Middle East and the Arab region. The State views the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as a tool to set new standards in various fields, for example, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the body responsible for providing the infrastructure, planning and processes required for Qatar to host a wonderful and historic tournament in 2022, is working on using sport to drive change, through the Generation Amazing program, which is concerned with harnessing football for development. This program has benefited more than 500,000 people worldwide, HE pointed out. The work of the Generation Amazing program is based on promoting the values of tolerance and respect, empowering youth, and encouraging health, education and social inclusion, in addition to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, His Excellency added. HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar's firm belief that through the transformative power inherent in sport, we can positively impact local communities and build resilience among children and youth, in the context of the broader goal of preventing the causes of violent extremism.