Geneva: The Kingdom of Morocco and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) officially launched the “Group of Friends on Sport and Migration” on Tuesday. This multilateral initiative, based in Geneva, aims to establish a collaborative framework to explore the role of sport in enhancing social inclusion and improving migration governance.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, in his remote remarks at the event, emphasized that the launch of this Group acknowledges the significant, yet often overlooked, role of sport in statecraft. The minister highlighted sport’s potential as a tool for social inclusion, youth engagement, and as a protective measure against vulnerability.

Bourita reiterated Morocco’s commitment to the initiative, aligning it with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the African Union Leader on Migration, who views migration as an opportunity rather than a crisis. He pointed out that in Africa, the youngest continent, sport serves as a universal language of resilience and hope for the youth, with the Group of Friends initiative inspired by this spirit of shared destiny.

Furthermore, the minister noted that the African Migration Observatory, located in Rabat, will provide crucial support to the Group’s activities with strategic analysis, reliable data, and research based on evidence. The establishment of this Group of Friends on Sport and Migration was a key outcome of a high-level event organized by Morocco and the IOM in New York on September 26, 2025, during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.