The Confédération Africaine de Football (‘CAF’) has joined the United Nations’ ‘Football for the Goals’ initiative and is emphasizing its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’).

The collaboration aims to leverage the universal appeal of football as a powerful tool to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’) and combat societal challenges, including promoting education and alleviating poverty.

Through this collaboration, CAF will, inter alia, integrate the SDGs into its grassroots and youth football development programs across the African Continent.

Using the popularity and the passion for football, CAF is positioned to effectively engage African countries and communities and advocate for initiatives that promote sustainable development.

The CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe said: ‘We are very pleased that over the past three years, a huge amount of progress has been made in achieving the football and societal upliftment Goals we had set including
investing in our Youth and creating opportunities for Women in football and in our communities. CAF and its Member Associations that represent 54 African countries are committed to working together with the United Nations to promote and achieve the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’) and building a better Africa and a better world. We are honored to make a humble contribution to promoting and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’) using football; the most popular sport in Africa and worldwide.’

Robert Skinner, UN Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement said: “Football, recognized by the UN General Assembly for its unparalleled global reach and profound impact across various spheres, including the Sustainable Development Goals, holds immense potential. The United Nations is excited to welcome CAF as a member of Football for the Goals and to work with the CAF team and the African football community. Together, we have a uni
que opportunity to advance the SDG Agenda, drive meaningful change, and make a lasting difference in communities across Africa and beyond.

One of CAF’s shining examples of this commitment is the CAF African Schools Football Championship that has impacted the lives of over 800 000 boys and girls in over 44 African countries in the past two years.

This initiative not only promotes health and wellness among schoolboys and schoolgirls through active participation in school’s football but also fosters gender equality by providing equal opportunities, training and prize money for both boys and girls.

About United Nations Football for the Goals:

Football for the Goals is an initiative launched by the United Nations to harness the passion for football in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’). By leveraging the global appeal of football, the initiative aims to inspire action and raise awareness of critical social issues.

Source: Confederation of African Football