UN backs Olympic Truce Resolution
All United Nations member states have backed an agreement to use London 2012 to promote peace and reconciliation in areas of conflict.
United Nations member states have backed an agreement to use London 2012 to promote peace and reconciliation in areas of conflict around the world.
All 193 member states yesterday agreed to co-sponsor the Olympic Truce Resolution - the most member states to do so in the history of the UN.
Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Games (LOCOG), formally submitted the Truce Resolution to the UN General Assembly in New York. “The Olympic Truce and the Olympic values and the programmes that support the Truce can play a role, in combination with the Olympic movement and sport in general, as tools for promoting peace,” Mr Coe said.
Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said: “I am delighted that Government is supporting the Olympic Truce as we prepare to welcome the world to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. I served as part of two UN peacekeeping missions and it is important that sport’s role in peacekeeping is recognised through this motion at the United Nations.”
The UK Government and LOCOG will work with the International Olympic Committee, other UN member states and civil society to deliver further truce-related activities in the UK and around the world ahead of London 2012 which will aim to reach out to people in different walks of life.
The UK’s international activities will be designed to help find local solutions to local issues and aim to contribute to longer-term peace and stability.