From Geneva, Morocco Leads a New UN Initiative to Harness Sport for Migrant Inclusion

By Imane Alaoui

In a move that once again underscores Morocco’s leading position in diplomatic and sports-related innovation within the multilateral system, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Moroccan government officially announced, on Tuesday 9 December 2025 in Geneva, the launch of the “Group of Friends on Sport and Migration.” This pioneering initiative aims to establish sport as a strategic tool for strengthening social inclusion, empowering migrants, and improving migration governance at both national and international levels.

The creation of this group comes in response to the momentum expressed by numerous member states during the joint event organized by Morocco and the IOM on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September. Conceived as a voluntary platform for intergovernmental dialogue, the group seeks to facilitate the exchange of policies, data, and best practices, while working to integrate sport into migration and inclusion strategies in support of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration adopted in Marrakech in 2018.

For Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, the initiative goes far beyond a technical step. “It reflects a deep conviction, political will, and an ambition to make sport a strategic instrument in addressing contemporary migration challenges,” he affirmed. He stressed that “sport is a universal language, a space where differences fade and communities come together,” but also a practical means capable of offering concrete solutions to pressing issues such as migrant integration, youth engagement, prevention of vulnerability, and the strengthening of social cohesion.

The new group aims, through enhanced coordination between governments, international organizations, and sports actors, to support the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration, develop pilot projects using sport as an integration tool, and contribute actively to the 2026 International Migration Review Forum scheduled for next May. Membership is open to all states, international organizations, sports federations, and relevant partners, ensuring an inclusive approach that involves various segments of society.

Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, emphasized that the launch comes at a critical moment. “Migration and mobility have become defining features of modern societies, requiring innovative and practical tools to strengthen inclusion and cohesion,” she noted. She highlighted that sport is “a force capable of bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and building more resilient communities,” adding that this group will help governments translate these values into concrete policies and effective partnerships.

This new framework will also work on preparing a guide of best practices, reviewing existing initiatives and future projects, as well as launching pilot programs and supporting innovative policies for sports-based migrant inclusion. Through this initiative, the IOM and the Kingdom of Morocco reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening intergovernmental cooperation and promoting political innovation in the fields of migration, social inclusion, and the development of a positive narrative centered on sport as an effective driver of societal transformation.