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Excerpt from fifa.com

FIFA and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), on the sidelines of the 72nd FIFA Congress in Doha, committing to working together to enhance awareness of climate change mitigation action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and leverage opportunities for climate-resilient football development in the Blue Pacific region.

The partnership with PIF, the premier political intergovernmental organisation representing 18 countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean, will focus on education around climate change and fostering disaster resilience, including helping to develop advocacy strategies and boost community initiatives. It will also seek to climate-proof football’s infrastructure by linking the work of the Pacific Islands Forum to FIFA Forward projects for football’s foundations across the member associations of Oceania.

The United Nations defines small island developing states (SIDS) as a group of most vulnerable and capacity constrained developing countries sharing similar challenges when it comes to sustainable development across all facets of life, including sports and football. That covers more than 20% of FIFA’s 211 member associations and Oceania is at the highest risk of climate and disaster impacts, exemplified by the recent devastation in Tonga.

Speaking at the signing, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “This is a big day for football as the world focuses its attention on the draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. But for all of us, in football and wider society, we are at an even more critical moment. Football is not immune to the impact of climate change, with grassroots, recreational, amateur and elite football affected all around the world.

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