NEW YORK — The Permanent Mission of Libya to the United Nations in New York, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a high-level event at the UN General Assembly alongside the UN Group of Friends of Football. The event marked the anniversary of World Football Day (May 25th), a global initiative originally introduced by Libya, highlighting sports as a powerful tool for global diplomacy, peace, and cultural bridge-building.
On the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, Permanent Representative of Libya to the UN, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), who accepted Libya’s invitation to participate in this extraordinary occasion.
During his visit to the Libyan Mission headquarters in New York, Ambassador El-Sonni and Mr. Infantino discussed mechanisms to strengthen joint cooperation between FIFA and the Libyan Football Federation. The Ambassador extended an official invitation to the FIFA President to visit Libya. The two sides also explored strategies to leverage sports, particularly football, as a driver for sustainable development and peacebuilding.
Background
The United Nations General Assembly officially adopted World Football Day in 2024, following a resolution spearheaded by Libya, alongside Tajikistan and Bahrain. The historic resolution achieved consensus and was co-sponsored by more than 170 member states, designating May 25th as an annual global day to celebrate the world’s most popular sport.
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