Riyadh, October 15 (QNA) - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Dream Asia Foundation Conference kicked off Wednesday in Riyadh, in cooperation with the United Nations Football for Goals initiative.
A select group of officials and experts from within and outside Asia participated in the conference.
The conference included representatives from the United Nations, UEFA, FIFA, and several international organizations. Speakers discussed ways to use football to support the Sustainable Development Goals and enhance humanitarian and social work.
The conference focused on child protection, youth empowerment, gender equality, and social inclusion, in addition to reviewing the AFC's most prominent social responsibility initiatives.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said during the conference that the AFC Dream Asia Foundation has become a pioneering model in using football as a tool for positive social change, noting that the AFC's programs have "touched the lives of thousands across the continent" thanks to cooperation with member associations and international partners.
Al Khalifa said: "Since the launch of the Dream Asia Foundation, we have been keen to establish the concept that football is not just a game played on the field, but rather an effective means of uniting people, building communities, and promoting the values of respect, equality, and tolerance. 
The message that the AFC carries goes beyond competition, to serve humanity wherever it may be, using football as a tool to build a brighter future for the people of our continent."
He added: "Over the past eight years, we have made significant strides in our social responsibility journey, implementing development and humanitarian initiatives and programs that have encompassed most of our national and regional member associations.
We have witnessed the true impact of these efforts in supporting children and youth, empowering women, and promoting inclusiveness in football.
These successes would not have been possible without the cooperation of our partners and their belief in our shared message that football can be a powerful force for good and change." (QNA)