Samara: Secretary-General of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Nasser Al-Mutairi emphasized the vital role of sports as a unifying force among nations during the plenary session of the 13th International Sports Forum. He addressed the significance of sports as a medium for rapprochement and confidence building among diverse cultures, free from political influences.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Mutairi articulated his views at the Forum, themed "Russia - a Country of Sports," which was held in Samara, southwestern Russia, from November 5-7. He highlighted the positive impact of the first ACD ministers of sports meeting, which took place on November 5 alongside the Forum, in enhancing sports cooperation among ACD member countries.
The meeting was a continuation of the "sports diplomacy" initiative launched during the third ACD summit in Doha, Qatar, in October 2024. Al-Mutairi noted that this initiative reflects the shared aspiration of ACD members to use sports to bolster understanding and friendship across Asia.
In statements to KUNA, Al-Mutairi stressed the importance of separating sports from political polarizations to promote humanitarian values and empower youth to work towards peace and coexistence. The Forum attracted numerous sports ministers and experts worldwide to discuss the future of international sports cooperation and the role of sports diplomacy in achieving sustainable development goals.
During the event, Al-Mutairi engaged in discussions with Russia and Kazakhstan's sports ministers and Iran's deputy minister of sports to explore successful strategies for modernizing the sports sector. Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the opening meeting of the Forum.