The agreement was formalised at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino and PIF General Secretary Baron Waqa signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The original MoU, initiated at the 72nd FIFA Congress in Doha in April 2022, has been extended to 2026.
Under the partnership, FIFA and PIF will explore using football to promote sustainability while addressing gender equality and health issues. Plans include expanding women’s football, implementing school-based football programmes, and leveraging the sport to encourage physical activity and community engagement. These initiatives aim to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and foster healthier lifestyles across the Pacific.
The partnership aims to help strengthen the region’s capacity to adapt to environmental challenges while fostering social development through the sport.
PIF represents 18 Pacific Ocean nations and territories, making it a critical ally in FIFA’s global sustainability goals. The renewed collaboration underscores the commitment of both organisations to leveraging football for environmental and social progress.
Speaking at the signing, Infantino said: “Climate change is an issue that affects us all and is one of the biggest challenges we face. That is particularly true in the Pacific region, which is among those most adversely affected by changes to the earth’s climate.”
“FIFA is supporting the Oceania FIFA Member Associations in climate-resilient football development and will continue to stand side-by-side with the PIF to help raise the issues directly affecting its members by embracing the unique power of football to educate, to inspire, and to unite the world.”
The FIFA president attended the COP29 summit at the invitation of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and also met various heads of state and government stakeholders.
“I discussed the future of our planet, as well as that of football, with President Aliyev and the many heads of state and government stakeholders present for this conference, which was held inside a football stadium, once more representing football’s power to unite,” he said.
“As an international organisation, FIFA takes its responsibility to protect the environment and climate seriously. We have developed and implemented programmes to support and contribute to climate action through investments in different internationally certified projects of the highest quality.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]
