I thank Your Excellency Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari for chairing, and for hosting, this First Steering Committee meeting.
And I thank Your Excellency Hassan Al Thawadi for making sustainability a core principle for the World Cup itself, and the legacy it leaves.
I also thank my dear brother, President Gianni Infantino, for FIFA’s commitment to healthier and safer sport, and for the invitation to address FIFA’s 72nd Congress yesterday. It was such a great honour to speak.
Sport can reach billions. The estimate is 5 billion. This partnership is going to make a significant impact.
Of course, we are all looking forward to the World Cup. But our horizon must be longer – we have an opportunity to leverage the power and popularity of football to make a meaningful difference to the health of many people:
Through Health For All, and advising people to lead a healthy lifestyle. Nobody can be listened to more than the stars for millions and billions;
By promoting physical activity, including through the use of digital technology;
And through the Behaviour for Development initiative, which is using behavioural science to drive policy change and social impact.
We need to mobilize players and coaches to advocate for health for all and lead healthy lifestyles;
And to share advice and guidance to football fans to help them stay safe, keep physically active and make healthier lifestyle choices.
Together, we can use the power of football on and off the pitch to inspire and mobilize the five billion football fans around the globe to reach people before, during and after the FIFA World Cup.
I thank you.