The Organising Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting sports as a tool for sustainable development.

Both organisations agreed to jointly raise awareness of the power of sports to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as educating the Japanese population about them.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

“Through the Games, we can help to raise awareness of global issues and bequeath a sustainable society to the next generation.”

Tokyo 2020 and the UN will work together to leverage the United Nation’s own events and media platforms to increase the public’s knowledge of the links between the SDGs, sports and sporting events among citizens of Japan and other countries.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Alison Smale said: “I am proud to sign this Letter of Intent, which will allow us to work with Tokyo 2020 to shine a light not only on the accomplishments of the athletes, but also on how the event is managed in innovative and responsible ways.

“This is a great opportunity to leverage our platforms to begin conversations about the contributions of Tokyo 2020 to SDG implementation and the power of the Olympic Games to promote peace and development worldwide.”

Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto added: “Since its foundation, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has emphasised the importance of sustainability. In line with Tokyo 2020’s vision that sport has the power to change the world, we have had a number of discussions regarding our mutual relationship and cooperation with the UN, and we are very pleased to have now signed this LOI.

“Through the Games, we can help to raise awareness of global issues and bequeath a sustainable society to the next generation.”