Lausanne, June 02 (QNA) - HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Board Member in the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani reaffirmed QOC’s deep commitment to supporting refugee athletes and promoting sport as a tool for peace and social cohesion.

This came during His Excellency's participation in the ORF’s Annual Board Meeting at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Monday, where he emphasized the importance of Olympic partnerships in broadening the humanitarian impact of sport across the globe.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Olympism365 – Sport for a Better World Summit, hosted by the International Olympic Committee to strengthen the role of sport in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani further noted that the State of Qatar’s experience in leveraging sport to support humanitarian causes offers a practical model that can be expanded and enhanced. His Excellency reiterated QOC’s readiness to continue working with international partners to scale joint initiatives and create safe spaces where refugee children and youth can access sport and integrate meaningfully into their new communities.  

HE President of the International Olympic Committee and Chair of the ORF Dr. Thomas Bach chaired the meeting, in the attendance of prominent figures in the Olympic Movement, including HE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, alongside fellow ORF Board Members and international sporting organizations' representatives.

The meeting went over the ORF’s 2024 Annual and Financial Reports, discussed the 2025 operational plan, and endorsed the Foundation’s 2025–2030 strategic framework. The board also explored opportunities to expand sport-based programs for refugees and youth in host communities and adopted important decisions regarding the future of the Foundation’s global initiatives.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani’s participation reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to support the ORF's efforts across strategic, financial, and operational dimensions, including hosting the Refugee Olympic Team ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Qatar also has delivered targeted sports and humanitarian programs for displaced Palestinian and Afghan youth and hosted the ORF Board Meeting in Doha in April 2024.

The State of Qatar’s initiatives and its continued support for the ORF have contributed to the implementation of 14 sports programs across 10 countries, providing thousands of young refugees with the opportunity to engage in sport within safe environments. These efforts have contributed to the development of essential life skills and have positioned sport as an effective tool for empowerment and social cohesion in host communities. (QNA)