RIYADH Oct 19,: His Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Olympic and Paralympic Committee in Saudi Arabia, opened the “Middle East Sports and Peace” Forum. The forum, a collaborative effort between the Sports and Peace Organization and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, took place at the Palace of Culture in Riyadh. Notable attendees included His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and several distinguished individuals.

Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal lauded the forum as a remarkable gathering from which numerous innovative initiatives were launched. These initiatives, he noted, contribute to elevating sports in all its dimensions and emphasize the need to sustain such forums. He emphasized the noble ideals it embodies, fostering peace and the values inherent in sports, which include the allure of competition, the spirit of victory, and the pursuit of excellence.

The leader of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee underlined the alignment of sports' core values, such as respect, cooperation, and fair play, with the principles of peace. This alignment, he stressed, paves the way for a common language that unites people across the globe.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, in his remarks, highlighted the exceptional mission of sports, uniting people in a shared endeavor, mending relationships among communities, and assisting vulnerable populations in building resilience. He also underscored the profound impact of integrating the values of sports into the service of sustainable peace, using it as a catalyst for the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups.

The forum delved into various sports-related topics and explored effective strategies to forge stronger connections between sports and peace. It witnessed the participation of numerous renowned figures in the world of sports and international affairs, including His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.