His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone participated in the International Summit on Sport for Sustainable Development, where he expressed his heartfelt thanks to French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach for their leadership in this crucial initiative.

The Summit, held in Paris, was a high-profile gathering of over 60 Heads of State and Government, alongside leaders from international organizations, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The primary focus of the discussions was on harnessing the power of sport to drive sustainable development for future generations.

The event yielded a series of ambitious commitments aimed at addressing five key areas: Education and Employment; Health and Nutrition; Equality and Inclusion; Financing and Impact Measurement; and Sustainability and Legacy.

Among the notable announcements were a USD $10 billion commitment by a coalition of public development banks and financial institutions to invest in inclusive and sustainable sports infrastructure by 2030. Additionally, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) pledged to build 1,000 sustainable football pitches in schools to support the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The IOC also announced a 10% increase in its budget for Olympic Solidarity, amounting to USD $650 million for the 2025-2028 period. Furthermore, the National Basketball Association (NBA), in collaboration with the French Development Agency and other partners, committed to constructing 1,000 basketball courts in Africa over the next decade.

In the aftermath of the Summit, President Bio took to social media to convey his appreciation. On the platform X, he wrote, “I extend my gratitude to my dear friend and colleague, President Emmanuel Macron, and to the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, for spearheading this important Summit which has underscored the pivotal role of sport as a catalyst for sustainable development.”