Monaco Highlights the Role of Sport in Diplomacy and Gender Equality at New York University

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At the invitation of the President of the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, which trains professionals for high-level careers in sports management, H.E. Ms Isabelle Picco, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations, took part in a roundtable on “Sports Diplomacy and Women’s Empowerment” held at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs.

On this occasion, she underlined the role of sport as a catalyst for social change, a driver of equality and a tool of multilateral diplomacy. She emphasised the importance of education — including women’s physical education — equal pay, and the fight against stereotypes and online violence targeting female athletes. She also presented Monaco’s initiatives in this area, particularly through the Group of Friends of Sport for Sustainable Development, which she co-chairs with her Qatari counterpart, as well as the key role played by international organisations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Also participating in the event were Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake, Head of Sports Partnerships at UN Women, and H.E. Mr Mohammed Al Nasr, Deputy Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations.

The panel further benefited from the insights of Professor Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, a recognised expert in sports diplomacy and author of leading works on basketball and international relations, who enriched the discussion with her academic perspective.