AFC And United Nations Join Forces To Promote Sustainable Development Through Football Initiatives

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the United Nations' Football for the Goals (FFTG) initiative have reaffirmed their commitment to using football to promote social development in Asia. This collaboration aligns with the FFTG's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) platform, which is gaining support from various football stakeholders across the continent.

Recently, the Football Association of Indonesia, the Chinese Football Association, and the Philippine Football Federation applied to join this initiative. This brings the total number of AFC Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) under review to 20. Meanwhile, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Tajikistan, and the Maldives have joined eight existing members.

Through FFTG, football organisations commit to promoting SDGs by adopting responsible business practices and championing social inclusion. Membership is voluntary and non-binding, making it accessible for AFC’s 47 MAs and five RAs. "We are encouraged by the growing engagement of both our MAs and RAs with the FFTG initiative," said Vahid Kardany, Secretary to the AFC Dream Asia Foundation.

Kardany emphasised that this movement highlights increased awareness of football’s role in creating inclusive communities across Asia. The AFC Dream Asia Foundation acts as a facilitator rather than a member, guiding MAs and RAs to align with FFTG's principles. This approach underscores their commitment to advancing SDGs through football.

The AFC Dream Asia Foundation Conference 2025 will take place on 15th October 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organised in collaboration with the UN FFTG Secretariat, this event will bring together football stakeholders, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society. The conference aims to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration in leveraging football for sustainable development.

Robert Skinner from the UN’s Department of Global Communications stated: "When football and the United Nations stand together, we send a powerful message: the SDGs are everyone's game." He highlighted that every goal counts towards sustainable development.

Global-Local Alignment for Sustainable Development

Football for the Goals is a UN platform launched to harness football's power in advancing SDGs. It engages clubs, leagues, federations, and players to raise awareness and foster partnerships. By taking measurable action for people and the planet, it aims to make a significant impact on sustainable development.

This coordinated engagement signals a commitment to global-local alignment in advancing SDGs through football. The collaboration between AFC and FFTG exemplifies how sports can drive positive change across communities in Asia.

With inputs from WAM