With only 17 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achieved by 2024, global attention is turning to the urgent question: how can sport accelerate progress towards a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future?
The Commonwealth Secretariat is partnering with the Sport Development Network (SDN) to explore this question at its annual online convention on 18 September 2025 from 13:00–16:00 BST. Register for the event.
The event, supported by ConnectSport CIC, will bring together leading voices from across academia, policy, and practice to debate the theme, “Beyond 2030: Converging and collaborating to strengthen sport’s contribution to sustainable development.”
Speaking ahead of the event Dr Lin Sambili, Adviser for Sport for Development and Peace in the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Social Policy Development team, emphasised the importance of unlocking sport’s potential:
“Beyond 2030, the challenge is not recognising sport’s potential — it’s unlocking it. As we look to a new Strategic Plan 2025–2030, bolstered by resilience, the Commonwealth Secretariat is driving convergence across governments, civil society and business to ensure sport becomes a true catalyst for equality, resilience and sustainable development in the years ahead.”
Sport plays a significant role in sustainable development
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has acknowledged sport as an important enabler of the SDGs. Yet, despite significant initiatives worldwide, evidence shows that only a fraction of the global goals have been realised.
The speakers will tackle several related themes, including progress to date, opportunities for more effective collaboration and advocacy, as well as practical examples. Decision-makers and professionals will also learn where sport is making the greatest impact, and what more can be done over the next five years.
Dr Claire Jenkin, Co-Chair of the Sport Development Network, highlighted the significance of knowledge-sharing to achieve the SDG goals:
“We are so excited and honoured to partner with the Commonwealth Secretariat and ConnectSport CIC for our upcoming Online Convention. Our remit is to provide a platform for knowledge exchange between the different elements of our sector to work more cohesively, so the range of excellent speakers and the topic in question will be an outstanding contribution to our activities catalogue.”
Simon Lansley, Managing Director of ConnectSport CIC, also shared:
“As a not-for-profit media and training company, ConnectSport’s purpose is to amplify and share how sport and physical activity-based interventions are actively contributing to the SDGs every day across our communities. We are delighted to be working alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat and the SDN to support the Convention.”
The Commonwealth Secretariat has long advocated for the use of sport as a vehicle for development. When used effectively, sport can contribute to improving health and education, creating employment, stimulating economic development and realising human rights and gender equality. The Sport for Development and Peace team at the Commonwealth Secretariat also provide expert advice and training to officials, helps draft policies and offers support for monitoring and evaluation.
Read more and register for the event
Media contact
-
Ben Maloney Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
