Commonwealth sports ministers, senior government officials and other stakeholders met in Paris to pave the way forward for inclusive and cooperative societies by harnessing the power of sport.
They met on 25 July 2024, ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, for the 11th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (CSMM).
Key areas of exploration at the meeting included the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in sports, reimagining the Commonwealth Games, leveraging artificial intelligence for sport development and peace, and assessing the contribution of sports to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Leveraging the power of sports through collaboration
During the meeting, government ministers and officials recommitted to using sport as a vehicle for ensuring the socio-economic, physical, and mental well-being of current and future generations. Additionally, the first Global Sport and SDG Impact report was shared with delegates, showcasing baseline data on how sport has impacted key SDG goals. This report, along with its comprehensive data sets, will be formally launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024.
Another significant outcome of the meeting was the increased cooperation to tackle corruption in sports. Ministers agreed to collaborate with platforms such as the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS). Member countries were also recognised for their efforts in implementing programs like the Commonwealth Sport GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) programme, which promotes inclusion and equality and tackles all forms of stigma and discrimination.
In concluding the meeting, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland addressed the ministers, stating: “In achieving all this, we have driven forward the mandates we have been given, we have honoured the values and aspirations of our Charter, and we have provided an essential service to each other and to the 2.7 billion citizens of our 56 countries.”
“As a Commonwealth, we look forward to working with the Chair and Government of Canada to implement these outcomes over the next two years.”
The CSMM delegates concluded in the outcome statement:“Our meeting forged consensus and cooperation towards implementing priority actions. These include promoting good governance, safeguarding, strengthening respect for and protection of human rights in sport, encouraging intersectoral approaches, deepening evidence-based impact, and fostering a united Commonwealth through sports.”
Other critical action points in the ministerial outcome statement were:
*A renewed commitment to good governance, safeguarding, and strengthening respect for and protection of human rights in sport, with particular focus on the Commonwealth Sport Declaration on Reconciliation and Partnership with Indigenous Peoples;
*Recommitment to cross-sector collaboration to maximize the impact and benefits of sport. Specifically, by adopting Commonwealth tools, guidelines and frameworks and model laws to tackle safeguarding, noncommunicable diseases, gender equity, youth engagement and improve educational outcomes.
*Fostering unity and collective action within the Commonwealth through sports. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the strategic plans for the Commonwealth Games, demonstrating the resilience of the member states.
Moving forward
Chaired by the Government of Canada, the meeting brought together over 45 Commonwealth ministers and heads of delegation. Convened under the theme, Building Inclusive and Resilient Societies Through Sport, the outcomes of CSMM will contribute to discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held from 21 – 25 October 2024 in Apia, Samoa.
