More than 50 ministers, senior officials, and 540 representatives from 124 countries and international organizations gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan for the UNESCO Global Sports Conference 7th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport (MINEPS VII) which was held from the 26th until the 29th of June.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hosted this significant international event to foster international cooperation, creation, and encouragement of policies and strategies that support sport and physical education worldwide. The conference concentrated on a number of specific issues and topics, including the promotion of sports for everyone, also individuals with disabilities, and marginalized groups, fighting against various forms of violence in sports, encouraging gender equality and inclusion in sports, preventing doping in sport, ensuring fair play, and defending the significance of sport for long-term development and security.



On the 26th of June, after the welcoming speech held by H.E. Mr Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan, and Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, a Multistakeholder Forum took place with different workshops, for instance, Championing Gender Equality in and through Sport, Priority Africa and discussion on the topic of Youth Take the Lead.



The morning session of the first day of the formal conference included a variety of presentations, including ones on Data to Drive Investment and Sustainability of Major Sport Events. Regarding the afternoon session, where the president, vice presidents, and rapporteur were elected, the press conference and the gala dinner were followed. On the second official conference day, national and international plenary sessions on the “Fit for Life” initiative were held. The last day of the conference concluded with the Plenary session on Protecting the Integrity of Sport and the Wellbeing of Participants, followed by a Conclusion and adoption of the Fit for Life Alliance strategies and keynote presentations. The event in Baku successfully ended with a Press Conference to close the event officially and then it was followed by a closing celebration with a gala dinner.



The conference adopted the Baku Declaration within the framework of the UNESCO Fit for Life sports programme. This sport-based flagship programme, launched in 2021, is designed to accelerate COVID-19 recovery, support inclusive and integrated policy making, and enhance the wellbeing of youth around the world. Powered by global partners, Fit for Life uses data driven sport interventions to tackle interrelated crises in physical inactivity, mental health and inequality.



The International University Sports Federation (FISU) attended the event as an observer, represented by its Acting President Leonz Eder and Fernando Parente, Director of Development and Healthy Campus. In addition to hearing interesting communications from different countries and NGOs, the aim of their participation was to allow them to gain better knowledge of how UNESCO works in this sector, especially since FISU aims to become a UNESCO official partner NGO with consultative status.

For more information, please see www.mineps2023baku.com and www.unesco.org/en/fit4life.