HIBAPRESS-RABAT
Morocco shone through its active participation in high-level events organized in Paris on the sidelines of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, highlighting its initiatives in sustainable development and social inclusion through the NGO Tibu Africa.
The Moroccan delegation of Tibu Africa, composed of young people from the NGO’s centers, including a young Syrian refugee, participated in Festival 24, taking place from July 19 to 28, 2024 in Lyon and Paris. They had the opportunity to talk with Amélie Oudéa-Castera, Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This event, organized by Sport dans la Ville, the main association for integration through sport in France, brought together more than 500 young people from 36 countries, offering these young athletes a unique international experience, enriching their careers and strengthening their commitment to the values of sport.
Mohamed Amine Zariat, President of Tibu Africa, spoke as a speaker at the “United by Sport” Forum, held on the sidelines of Festival 24. Speaking on the panel entitled “Beyond Competitions: How Major Sports Organizations Support Local Policies,” he highlighted the innovative Moroccan model that uses the power of sport to develop social, innovative and sustainable solutions in the areas of education, empowerment and socio-economic inclusion for young people, especially women, in Morocco and Africa.
Mr. Zariat highlighted Morocco’s commitment to social innovation through sport, with the participation of government and private actors such as the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports (MENPS). This commitment aligns with Tibu Africa’s ambition to become a leader in sport for development in Africa by 2030, thus contributing to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tibu Africa’s founder shared insights on how leading sports organizations are coming together to advance gender equality, promote social inclusion, and combat discrimination at all levels. By combining the power of sport with the Sustainable Development Goals, Morocco is leading the way towards a more inclusive and equitable world.
World Conference “Sport Changes the Game” – Ministerial Forum
Tibu Africa also took part in the “Sport Changes the Game” Ministerial Conference held at UNESCO in Paris on July 24. This forum brought together ministers, sports organizations, athletes and various stakeholders to discuss the power of sport as a vector for sustainable development. On the sidelines of this event, Mohamed Amine Zariat met with Mr. Andrea Abodi, Minister of Sport of Italy, to explore potential collaborations between Morocco and Italy.
The conference was the occasion for the publication by UNESCO in 2024 of its report: “The Social Impact of Sport: Unlocking the Potential of Sport to Foster Social Transformations”, which explores the social impact of sport and offers recommendations to maximize its social benefits. Sport is presented as a powerful tool for social development, contributing to health, social inclusion, education, civic engagement, economic development, violence prevention, peacebuilding and environmental sustainability.
First Summit on Sport for Sustainable Development
The Sport for Sustainable Development (#Sport4SD) Summit, the largest meeting ever held on this topic, took place in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Games, bringing together 500 high-level participants. At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, the summit launched an ambitious movement to accelerate sport’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Invited to this major event, Mr. Zariat had the opportunity to exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed a keen interest in Tibu Africa’s Moroccan model.
Under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco has established itself, year after year, as a regional and continental driving force in sport. The sovereign has made the strengthening of public-private partnership an essential lever to stimulate investment as well as the economic and social development of the country. The results are phenomenal. The high-level events organized in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Games have proven the relevance of this royal vision, demonstrating the advancement of the Kingdom of Morocco thanks to the synergy between the royal vision and the combined efforts of Moroccan government and private actors.
