On 4th April 2022, Sports Ministers of the EU Member States gathered for the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, chaired by the French Presidency, where they approved the new Council Conclusions on sport and physical activity, which was recognized as a promising lever to transform behaviour for sustainable development.
The Conclusion calls for accelerating behavioural changes among individuals and all stakeholders involved in the sport sector, including event organisers, to reduce the impact of sport on the environment, biodiversity and the climate. Recognizing the efforts undertaken to make the sport sector more sustainable, the document recommends intensified action in this area. In addition, the conclusions seek to position sport as a lever for education and to raise awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Ukrainian Sport Minister Vadym Huttsaid also joined the meeting online to present the current situation in Ukraine and how the conflict is affecting the sport sector. Ministers then discussed the role of sport stakeholders in promoting and defending European values. Following the Council resolution of November 2021 on the European sport model, ministers agreed on the importance of maintaining a common foundation around the social, educational, cultural and health functions of sport.
Lastly, the upcoming Czech Presidency presented its programme for the next six months. Following the Slovenian and French presidency, it will also seek to promote physical activity levels by focusing on sustainable and accessible sport infrastructures. The Czech Presidency will start on 1st July 2022.