World football global governing body, FIFA and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy have launched a sustainability strategy for the country’s hosting of the World Cup in 2022.
Mindful that the hosting of a major tournament such as a World Cup can have a wide range of impacts on the natural environment and also the country’s communities, FIFA and the Supreme Committee began to develop and implement the strategy five years ago in order to help eliminate negative effects and to prepare for future events.
With the FIFA World Cup to be held in a Muslim nation for the first time in less than three years’, the manifesto for sustainability acknowledges that Qatar presents common and unique challenges, as well as unparalleled opportunities to leave a lasting positive legacy beyond the event.
FIFA has now defined the five sustainability commitments that will deliver the shared vision. They are: to develop human capital and safeguard workers’ rights; to provide an inclusive tournament experience; to catalyse economic development; to deliver innovative environmental solutions; and to set an example of good governance and ethical business practices.
A total of 22 objectives have been outlined, along with more than 70 concrete initiatives and programs that will seek to deliver the strategy and achieve the objectives set.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura commented “the FIFA World Cup offers us a unique opportunity to bring about positive change - one that FIFA and Qatar cannot, and will not, let slip away. All critical topics related to the event have been identified and duly addressed in this strategy, such as workers’ welfare, human rights, non-discrimination and environmental protection.
“The document is also in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and we are committed to contributing to those through the power of football and of the biggest single-sport event on the planet.”
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee and Qatar 2022 Chairman, added “when Qatar bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, it did so with a vision to use the tournament as a catalyst for sustainable, long-term change in Qatar and across the Arab world.
“From the start, we believed in the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to inspire innovation, to build bridges between cultures and peoples and to accelerate positive social transformation. Our measure of success for the tournament in Qatar will ultimately be the legacy it leaves behind. This strategy will help Qatar to realise that vision and ensure its success.”
The Sustainability Strategy - the first to be planned and delivered jointly by FIFA, the host country and the local organisers - applies to all functional areas and projects involved in the preparations for and staging of the tournament, in addition to post-event activities.
In a first for a major sporting event, the development process for the strategy included a full human rights salience assessment.
Over 100 national and international governmental, non-governmental and private-sector organisations were consulted when drawing up the issues and initiatives that form the framework.
Click here to read the full FIFA Sustainability Strategy.
Main images shows construction of Qatar's Al Wakrah stadium.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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