Organised by both the IOC and the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), with support from the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), the biennial event assesses the success and challenges of using sport as a tool for human development and peace promotion.

Next year's event focuses on the theme of "Creating a Common Vision", with high-level stakeholders from Governments, the sporting community, the UN, academic and business officials, civil society groups and the media set to debate the impact of sport on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

They will also examine the means needed to move forward with the mainstreaming of sport in development policies and strategies, while looking at issues that increasingly affect sport and its organisation, such as the protection of young people, gender equality and the integrity of sport.


"The past forums have featured excellent keynote speakers and provided high-level discussions which resulted in concrete recommendations for follow-up action embraced by all participants," Mario Pescante, permanent observer for the IOC to the UN and chairman of the IOC International Relations Commission, explained.

"I expect nothing less for New York.

"Once again it will be about translating the huge potential in the meeting room into concrete action on the ground, especially in relation to the developing countries.

"There is always more to be done."

Wilfried Lemke, special adviser to the secretary-general of the UNOSDP, added: "The collaboration between the United Nations and Olympic family has never been better.

"The 2013 Forum in New York can contribute to further developing our collaboration, in particular in defining concrete intervention, and to engaging other important stakeholders such as Governments, civil society, academia and the business sector.

"It is important that the meeting will focus on concrete outcomes for the benefit of those most in need, as action speaks louder than words."

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