May 06, 2011 – The 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment concluded on Monday in Doha, Qatar, with the sports world renewing its commitment to the environment by framing a clear agenda for action. FIS was represented in Doha by Erwin Lauterwasser, FIS Environmental Expert.

The so-called Doha Declaration defined three focus areas in which to direct activities related to the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development in sport. They include showcasing the contribution of the sports movement to sustainable development at next year’s United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, engaging young people, and building and strengthening partnerships between the sports world and the UN, governments, local entities, NGOs, and others.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and this weekend’s Conference has made it clear for all to see just how far we have come since then. While we can be proud of our achievements, we have also learnt that there is no time for complacency. We owe it to future generations to continue to promote our green agenda and ensure environmental sustainability in sport, and I think we have taken a big step towards that with the Doha Declaration.”

Over 650 delegates from National Olympic Committees, International Federations, Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games, governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations and educational institutions participated in the Conference, making it the biggest of its kind.