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Tokyo 2020 Paralympics to be transformational

Para Athletics from Thailand in action during in Asian Para Games 2018 at JAKARTA
Photo: FocusDzign / Shutterstock.com

Tokyo – The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will transform Japanese society and significantly raise awareness of and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Craig Spence.

Speaking at the Japan SDG Action Forum at the United Nations University in Tokyo on Tuesday (30 July), Spence shared with the audience of 200 stakeholders his expectations for next summer’s Paralympics which will attract around 4,350 Para athletes from more than 160 countries. 

“The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead massive social change in Japan and bring to life and advance the SDGs to billions of people around the world,” Spence said.

The UN SDG Action Campaign is a special inter-agency initiative of the UN Secretary-General mandated to scale-up, broaden and sustain the global movement of action for the SDGs. The UN SDG Action Campaign is administered by UNDP and works under the assumption that the SDGs will only be achieved if everyone takes action and engages with SDG planning and review processes.

Tuesday’s SDG Action Forum drew together perspectives from national government, local government, multi-lateral organisations, the private sector, youth groups, civil society, academia and media to further understanding around opportunities for collaboration and cohesive campaigning.

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