International Paralympic Committee commits to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

IPC President Andrew Parsons and UN SDG Action Campaign Global Director Marina Ponti

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and UN SDG Action Campaign are scaling up the visibility of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout the Paralympic Movement and at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Tokyo, whilst helping to change the narrative of disability.

This marks the first time that a major global sports event has provided such a platform to the Sustainable Development Goals. As next year marks the start of the UN’s Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs by 2030, the global sports organization is setting a great example for other entities to take action for people and the planet in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

“As a global sports organisation we can make a major difference and have a major influence on others. We must take the lead and show that every single organisation and every single person can make a difference, no matter how big or small, and take actions to make this world better for all.” — Andrew Parsons

“We are honored that the Paralympic movement and para-athletes are adding their voices and showing their support to the Goals and to the vision of making the impossible possible. That every person in every situation and location can make seemly unachievable things happen. As we gear up for a Decade of Action, we will start an SDG Butterfly Effect that will put people with disabilities at the forefront, and leave no one behind because the Goals are for everyone, everywhere.” — Marina Ponti

The IPC has already shown great efforts to support the SDGs, for which it was awarded the UN SDG Action Award in the Includer category earlier this year. By signing a landmark Statement of Intent with UN SDG Action Campaign, the IPC has committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The Paralympic movement is growing it is showing how by taking concrete actions from making cities more sustainable to improving access to health and education for all, the Goals can be achieved.

“When we look at the Sustainable Development Goals, disability sits in every single one of them. If you can’t see it, I gotta say, pretty hard to beat it” — Paralympian Kurt Fearnley shared his vision about making the impossible possible.

What’s next? International Paralympic Committee’s first two actions for the Sustainable Development Goals

1. As part of the organization’s commitment to climate action, the IPC has committed to offset all its travel and office emissions for 2018 and become a signatory of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework with the support of IPC International Partner BP and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
2. All athletes will wear the SDG icons at the Dubai 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in November and the Goals will be seen in spaces around the field of play to raise awareness for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.