Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba addressed the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit under the theme of 'Sports Diplomacy' in Doha, Qatar on Thursday. (Photo: Rana's X)
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said that sports have played a central role in stopping conflicts, easing tensions, and fostering friendships among nations.
Addressing the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit under the theme of 'Sports Diplomacy' in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, Dr Rana said that sports are more than just a pastime. "Individually, sports develop life-saving skills, build on physical fitness and sound mental health and prepare happy as well as healthy citizens," the Foreign Affairs Minister said adding that sports inspire people to build an identity, social cohesion and unity.
"On a global scale, it bridges political, socio-cultural and ideological divides," she stated.
She was of the view that we must embrace sports diplomacy to realize our collective development goals, including ACD's vision of a pan-Asian community by considering the transformative power of sports.
On the occasion, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that sports diplomacy enhances the promotion of indigenous games, fosters youth exchanges, and strengthens inter-state relations at all levels across Asia and beyond.
She also highlighted six actions to advance sports diplomacy including the continuation of hosting global and regional sports events to strengthen Asian unity and global fraternity while promoting meaningful participation of women and persons with disabilities in such events; using sports to promote cultural identity, develop sports infrastructure, conduct training, and establish sister-organization relations among sports institutions, and appointing sports personalities as goodwill ambassadors, maintain meaningful relationships between sports councils and invest in sports infrastructure.
Likewise, the other actions she proposed are to encourage sports practices by organizing peaceful sports events in regions affected by conflict; promote sports diplomacy as a tool to strengthen national economies, enhance tourism, and cement relations between national and international Olympic Committees, and prioritize sports in national policies and engage with relevant UN agencies.
"The world faces growing polarization and divisions. The escalation of wars and conflicts in our region is of great concern to us while we are still far from achieving global development targets, including SDGs by 2030, global peace, security and prosperity are threatened by chronic conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, terrorism, natural disasters, and transnational organized crimes," she asserted calling for the Asian countries to work together to achieve promises to the next generation including the Pact for the Future and the Digital Compact.
She viewed that climate change presents an existential threat and urgent actions are required. "Developing nations, particularly LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, need robust international support mechanisms with predictable and fair climate financing. We urge developed countries to honor their commitments and take bold action," Dr Rana added.
Saying that disunity and divergent paths will turn this era into a missed opportunity, Minister Dr Rana urged all to abide by international laws, treaties and conventions to establish peace and justice.
Likewise, she invited all ACD members to participate in mountaineering and white water rafting adventure sports in Nepal.
On the occasion, Minister Dr. Rana said Nepal strongly values multilateralism and regional cooperation as pillars of regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Since joining ACD in 2016, Nepal has remained committed to advancing its objectives of building an interdependent, integrated, and innovative Asia. (RSS)
