Today (April 6), we commemorate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (#IDSDP), recognizing sport’s unique ability to foster positive values, build bridges, and break barriers. Sport serves as a powerful catalyst for social transformation and reinforces the cause of peace. The SDGs recognise sport as an important enabler of sustainable development.

Across the vast D-8 geography, home to 1.28 billion people — including over 650 million youth — sports bring countries and communities together, empower women and youth, and form a strong cultural bridge. The D-8 boasts of a diverse athletics and sports landscape — with D-8 nations actively engaged in football (soccer), cricket, squash, hockey, badminton, basketball, and volleyball as well as wrestling and martial arts.

We are proud that this year, three of our Member States — Egypt, Iran, and Türkiye — will take the global stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026, carrying the passion and shared spirit of the #D8 to this mega event. The three teams have the best wishes of the #D8 family for outstanding performance.

The D-8 remains committed to deepening sports cooperation within its geography and beyond as a crucial means to promote development, strengthen people-to-people ties, and reinforce regional and international solidarity.