The two leaders discussed the Olympic Games, but also the geopolitical situation, the role of sport in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other topics of mutual interest. Following their meeting, they addressed the media.

IOC President Thomas Bach:

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I just had a meeting with the UN Secretary-General – and, I may say, our dear friend, Mr Guterres, because he is a true believer in and a great promoter of the Olympic values and what the Olympic Games stand for and what the IOC stands for. And this is why we are always very honoured and happy to be able to welcome him at any occasion, but in particular, of course, at the Olympic Games.

This gave us the opportunity to discuss the extremely complicated geopolitical situation and also to explain how the IOC is approaching this situation by keeping its political neutrality. And thanks to this political neutrality and all the measures around that, I could report to the Secretary-General that, tonight, we will have the athletes from the territories of all 206 National Olympic Committees united together with the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.

And, in this way, send a very strong message for peace and unity in this world, as the athletes already did this week, with a call for peace in the Olympic Village, and as they showed this morning when I had the pleasure of running with the Olympic torch – where they were all lining up and showing their commitment to the Olympic values and to peace in this respect.

I could also thank the Secretary-General for all the support and the great cooperation we enjoy with all the United Nations agencies in order to live up to the role the UN gave us as an important enabler to achieve the UN Sustainability Development Goals. And also thank him, therefore, for the presence of all these agencies yesterday at the Summit organised by France and the IOC on sustainable development in and through sport, which was a great success, and which created a great awareness for the need to act, but also great awareness for what the IOC and what the Olympic Movement are doing and effectuating in this respect, not only when it comes to peace, but also to health, sustainable development, education and many other things.

And then finally, I expressed the hope that the UN Member States will also, in the upcoming resolution on the UN Summit of the Future, express what they expressed yesterday – the recognition of the work that we have achieved with and through the Olympic Movement with the assistance of the UN agencies, and also encouragement to continue in this way.

Welcome, Mr Secretary-General, to your home, the Olympic Movement.