Sports Take Center Stage at 4th International Development Finance Conference; IOC’s Prince Feisal Highlights Its Role in Economic and Social ChangeSports emerged as a key focus at the 4th International Development Finance Conference, where International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein emphasized that sports are far more than a form of entertainment—they act as a powerful tool for economic and social transformation.

The conference, held in Seville, brought together heads of state, policymakers, development bank officials, and civil society leaders to explore ways to reform the global financial architecture and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In his plenary session keynote speech, titled “Financing a Better World Through Sport”, Prince Al Hussein underscored how investments in sports can deliver significant social and economic returns.

“As outlined on Olympic.org, Prince Al Hussein stressed: ‘We need to take further collective action, particularly by integrating sport-based investments into national financing frameworks and innovation strategies; providing innovative blended finance to scale up sport-driven interventions; and exploring the adaptability and application of social impact bonds and debt swaps to enable investment in preventive policies and programs—including those that leverage sports.’”

He also highlighted recent successful collaborative efforts, such as the IOC’s “Olympic 365” Summit, the “Finance for Shared Prosperity” Summit, and the 2024 Paris Sport for Sustainable Development Summit. These events, he noted, have resulted in tangible commitments and investments, showcasing sports’ potential to drive meaningful change.

The inclusion of sports in high-level discussions on development finance reflects a growing recognition of its multifaceted role: beyond athletic competition, it can foster infrastructure growth, create jobs, and strengthen social cohesion—all of which are vital to advancing global sustainability objectives.