Sports Agency and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Announce New Project for 2020 Games

On November 9, the Japan Sports Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a new partnership project, "Our Global Goals," leveraging the power of sport. This initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage participation in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Launching in 2019, this project marks the foundation's first Olympic program and is positioned as part of the Japan Sports Agency's "Sports SDGs" initiative, which uses sport to solve social issues. It is also an official Tokyo Games program, where athletes from Japan and abroad serve as ambassadors, collaborating with NGOs to build the Games' legacy.

The Foundation will provide funding and expertise for programs implemented by the ambassadors. These programs include field visits, workshops, and learning opportunities focused on six SDGs: ending poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, and clean water and sanitation.

The press conference held at Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho in Chiyoda Ward was attended by Tomoko Ukishima, Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Foundation; Yoshiro Mori, President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games; and Yuko Arimori, former Japanese women's marathon representative.

Deputy Minister Ukishima opened by stating, "The Japan Sports Agency aims to contribute as much as possible to solving social issues through sports. Sport has the power to bring people together and engage them. We want to use this power to help more people learn about the SDGs and create opportunities for collective action." Regarding the partnership, she stated, "It is encouraging to be able to work towards building a better society together with the foundation, which is engaged in activities aiming to achieve the SDGs through sport, under the initiative 'Our Global Goals'."

Co-Chair Gates remarked, "I am delighted to serve as an ambassador, shining a light on our goals to realize a better world through sports-related activities." Referring to the global attention on Japan ahead of the Tokyo Games, he commented, "I believe Japan can make a significant contribution to the SDGs. I look forward to seeing how this project will be utilized for Japan's contribution to the international community."

Chairman Mori stated, "The Tokyo Games will be the first Olympic and Paralympic Games to fully embrace the SDGs." He introduced specific initiatives, such as the "Everyone's Medal Project: Made from Urban Mines!" which produces medals from recycled metals sourced from small household appliances. "I would like to express my respect for Mr. Gates, who personally took the initiative to establish the framework for this project," he said. We aim to continue working with many athletes beyond the Games and create a legacy we can be proud of."

Arimori expressed her hopes: "Through sports, I learned about the diverse possibilities that exist and that these possibilities should be utilized not only for my own country but for people in various nations. I am delighted that this partnership will create an SDGs movement where athletes, who have been supported by society, can engage in activities with a sense of gratitude. I hope this will inspire many athletes to join and take action."