Al Thawadi: 2022 World Cup Will Leave Legacy, Change Stereotype of Region

Geneva, October 01 (QNA) - Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi stressed that the 2022 World Cup will contribute to changing the stereotype of the region, especially in light of the wars and divisions that hover over them, by drawing a picture that reflects the reality and nature of the region. This came during SC Secretary-General Hassan Al Thawadi's speech at the opening of the 2018 Social Forum of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council held in Geneva. This year's edition, taking place until 3 October, is being held under the theme of: "The Possibilities of Using Sport and the Olympic Ideal to Promote Human Rights For All and To Strengthen Universal Respect For Them". Al Thawadi said, "People from all corners of the world will visit Qatar in 2022, and billions will be watching on screens. For Qatar, the Middle East, and for the international community, the FIFA World Cup in 2022 is a precious opportunity to celebrate our common humanity and advance progress for human rights in our region." Speaking about other areas in which the 2022 FIFA World Cup has served as a catalyst for change, Al Thawadi also explained how the tournament has helped drive forward the reforms required to improve workers' welfare conditions in Qatar and ensure the health, safety, security, and dignity of the workers contributing towards the development of the nation. Al Thawadi then went on to explain how the SC's various legacy programs, including Challenge 22, Generation Amazing, Josoor Institute, and the Accessibility Forum, are helping to facilitate social and economic development in the region and providing youth with the tools and knowledge necessary for building a better future. He added, "Football's status as the world's universal language manifests every four years during the World Cup. In 2018, 3.4 billion people, over half of the world's population tuned in to the FIFA World Cup. No other event on this planet gathers the collective attention of humanity the way the World Cup does. A platform with such power must be harnessed and utilized with both ambition and responsibility on local, regional and international levels. It must be used to improve lives and create a better future for a region of the world that is in desperate need for sparks of optimism. I'm proud to say that's what we are doing ahead of 2022." Al Thawadi concluded his speech by noting the importance of recognizing the potential of sport and mega-events as vital steps for the UN in its mission towards attaining its Sustainable Development Goals. He suggested sport be used as a powerful tool in breaking social, cultural and economic barriers in order to achieve these goals. Al Thawadi's participation in the event builds on previous SC engagements and collaboration with the UN over the past year. These include participation in an event organized in February 2018 by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN in Geneva under the title of "Hosting Mega Sport Events: Strengthening the Respect for Human Rights", the UN Office for Drugs and Crime's special event entitled "Crime Prevention and Sustainable Development Through Sports", held in April 2018, and the 38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council held in June 2018. The annual forum offers a space for open and interactive dialogue between civil society entities, representatives of member states and intergovernmental organizations, on a theme chosen by the Human Rights Council each year. (QNA)