Cairo, 21 March 2019 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed a partnership with LaLiga, the Spanish top tier football league, under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports. The ceremony for the signing was held at the Fairmont Hotel and was attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Amr El Hadad, by IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission, Mr. Laurent De Boeck, by LaLiga’s Official Delegate in Egypt, Mr. Juan Fuentes Fernandez, and many distinguished guests from the diplomatic community and the private sector. This partnership will pave the way for future collaborations between the two institutions joining efforts to combat racial discrimination and trafficking in football and raising awareness on migration challenges and opportunities.

The signing occurred on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

"There is no doubt that football is a tool that can help us to achieve our goals, since it is a leading sport to which everyone pays attention," said Laurent De Boeck, IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission. "Professional football is a sport which involves a significant number of players moving between countries, and all players who come from outside Spain are migrants. That is why partnering with IOM is important and necessary to raise awareness on migration, discrimination and trafficking in sports," added Juan Fuentes, LaLiga’s delegate to Egypt.

Through this agreement LaLiga and IOM will contribute to the Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy: Vision 2030, by supporting the social justice pillar. The partnership will also be in line with Sustainable Development Goals, namely Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

For more information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +2 02 2736 5140/1, Email: oawwad@iom.int