News article
Using football as a tool to promote wellness across the Pacific
FIFA has agreed to continue its alliance with the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) to use football to educate and inspire climate action.
The football governing body first signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa during the 72nd FIFA Congress in Doha, Qatar in 2022. The new agreement will last another four years.
PIF is a political inter-governmental organisation that represents 18 countries and territories in the Pacific Ocean.
The partnership will see the two organisations continue working together to enhance the awareness of climate change, and ensure that football development in the region is climate-resilient. FIFA and PIF will also work to promote gender equality through women’s football and football in schools, use football as a tool for enhancing health and wellness across the Pacific, and focus on physical activity and community engagement to prevent non-communicable diseases.
“Climate change is an issue that affects us all and is one of the biggest challenges we face."
The new MoU was signed during a meeting between Waqa and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the United Nations COP29 climate summit, which is currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“I am proud and delighted to announce that FIFA and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), in the presence of PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa, have extended our Memorandum of Understanding for a further four years,” said Infantino.
“Climate change is an issue that affects us all and is one of the biggest challenges we face. That is particularly true in the Pacific region, which is among those most adversely affected by changes to the earth’s climate.
“FIFA is supporting the Oceania FIFA Member Associations in climate-resilient football development and will continue to stand side-by-side with the PIF to help raise the issues directly affecting its members by embracing the unique power of football to educate, to inspire, and to unite the world.”