Proclamation of May 25th as World Football Day.

The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution A/RES/78/281 in 2024. proclaiming May 25th as World Football Day (WFD), each year, acknowledging "the global reach of football and its impact in various spheres, including commerce, peace and diplomacy, and recognizing that football creates a space for cooperation."

The General Assembly, 

Recalling its resolution 77/27 of 1 December 2022, in which it reaffirmed that sport is an important enabler of sustainable development and recognized the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace, the promotion of tolerance and respect, and the empowerment of women and girls, young people, individuals and communities, and persons with disabilities, as well as to the achievement of physical and mental health, education and social inclusion objectives, Recalling also its resolutions on sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace, in particular resolution 58/5 of 3 November 2003, in which it proclaimed 2005 the International Year for Sport and Physical Education, and resolutions 59/10 of 27 October 2004, 60/9 of 3 November 2005, 61/10 of 3 November 2006, 62/271 of 23 July 2008, 63/135 of 11 December 2008, 65/4 of 18 October 2010, 67/17 of 28 November 2012, 69/6 of 31 October 2014, 71/160 of 16 December 2016, 73/24 of 3 December 2018, 75/18 of 1 December 2020 and 76/259 of 8 April 2022, Recognizing the valuable contribution of sport in promoting education, sustainable development, peace, gender equality, cooperation, solidarity, fairness, social inclusion and health at the local, regional and international levels, and noting that, as declared in the 2005 World Summit Outcome,1 sports can contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples and nations, Recalling its resolution 67/296 of 23 August 2013, in which it proclaimed 6 April the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, 

 Reaffirming its resolutions 53/199 of 15 December 1998 and 61/185 of 20 December 2006 on the proclamation of international years, and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on international years and anniversaries, 

Recognizing that major international sporting events should be organized in the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, international cooperation, friendship, and tolerance, and without discrimination, and that the unifying and conciliative nature of such events should be respected, 

Recognizing also the fundamental role of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association and the important role of regional and national football federations, as well as relevant associations, in promoting the game of football, Encouraging all Member States and relevant international and regional organizations to facilitate the participation of the athletes in sporting events and competitions, 

Recognizing that sports, the arts and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, prejudices and behaviours, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, combat discrimination and defuse conflict, as reflected in the political declaration adopted at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in 2018, 

 Noting that sport, including sport for persons with disabilities, has a vital role in promoting peace, development and respect for human rights, Noting also that sport is a potential tool for raising public awareness on issues such as climate change and health through high-profile events, athletes and teams, Encouraging Member States involved in delivering mega sporting events to respect applicable laws and international principles, including the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework, as well as the fundamental values of Olympism and the International Olympic Movement and other international sport governing organizations, Acknowledging the global reach of football and its impact in various spheres, including commerce, peace and diplomacy, and recognizing that football creates a space for cooperation, 

Welcoming the Football for the Goals initiative, a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals and build on sustainability practices, Recalling that the goal of establishing international days is to create special time and space everywhere around the world to educate the general public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity, and recognizing the global impact of designated international days as springboards for awareness-raising actions,

 
1. Commends countries that have hosted and will host significant international football events and encourages them to ensure that these events leave a lasting legacy for global peace, sportsmanship and fair play;
2. Emphasizes that sport, including sport for persons with disabilities, has an important role to play in the promotion of peace and development, respect for human rights, the fight against racism and racial discrimination, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, in particular football, given its universal popularity;
3. Encourages all Member States to support sport, including football, in its role as a tool to promote peace, development, the empowerment of women and girls, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and dialogue among civilizations; 4. Also encourages Member States to adopt policies and programmes for the promotion of sport and physical activities, including football, at the national and local levels as a means to enhance physical and mental health and well-being and to cultivate a sporting culture in society;
5. Decides to proclaim 25 May as World Football Day, as 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions as part of the 1924 Summer Olympic Games, held in Paris;
6. Invites all States Members of the United Nations, members of the specialized agencies and observers of the General Assembly, as well as organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, other international and regional organizations, academia, civil society, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders to observe World Football Day in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national priorities, and to disseminate the advantages of football for all, including through educational and public awareness raising activities;
7. Stresses that the cost of all activities that may arise from the implementation of the present resolution should be met through voluntary contributions;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant stakeholders for appropriate observance.

80th plenary meeting of 7 May 2024.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly.