• High-level event held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, co-hosted by Qatar Sports Investments, the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva and Qatar Foundation.
• Global leaders from sport, international institutions and government discuss how sport can empower women and girls through participation, leadership, safety and opportunity.
• Photography exhibition at the Palais des Nations showcases women in sport before diplomats and international leaders from around the world.

Geneva, Switzerland – (June 16) – Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) was honoured to co-host a high-level event at the United Nations Office in Geneva alongside the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva and Qatar Foundation, bringing together leaders from international institutions, governments and the global sporting community to discuss how sport can create meaningful opportunities for women and girls.

Held under the theme “Empowering Women and Girls in and through Sport: From Words to Deeds”, the event explored the role of sport in promoting participation, leadership, safety and empowerment, while highlighting the positive impact that sporting initiatives can have on communities around the world.

The event featured contributions from distinguished leaders including Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation; Her Excellency Dr. Hend Abdalrahman Al-Muftah, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva; Her Excellency Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; and Mr. Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General of FIBA.

Speaking during the event, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments, highlighted “the unique power of sport to unite people, inspire young generations and create opportunities for positive social change”. Addressing delegations from around the world, he emphasised that “every girl should have the opportunity to participate in sport” and stressed the importance of continued collaboration to expand opportunities for women and girls globally.

Mr Al-Khelaïfi also commended the leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani and the work of Qatar Foundation in advancing opportunities for women and girls through sport, education and community development, while thanking Her Excellency Dr. Hend Abdalrahman Al-Muftah for her support in helping bring the initiative to the United Nations.

The discussion was further enriched by contributions from leading women across international sport and media, including representatives from Paris Saint-Germain Women, beIN MEDIA GROUP and Premier Padel, who shared perspectives from elite sport, broadcasting and athlete representation. Their participation reinforced the importance of ensuring that women are represented at every level of sport, both on and off the field of play.

As part of the programme, QSI and Qatar Foundation also curated a photography exhibition at the Palais des Nations, showcasing women in sport and highlighting the transformative impact of participation, leadership and achievement. Displayed before diplomats and international leaders from around the world, the exhibition celebrated the role sport can play in inspiring future generations and creating new opportunities for women and girls.

The event reflected Qatar Sports Investments’ belief in the power of sport as a platform for positive social impact and its commitment to working with partners across sport, education and international institutions to help create a more inclusive future.