Translated with AI
The Winter Olympic Games will begin in Italy on February 6, 2026. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock called on all warring parties to agree to a "mutual ceasefire" for the duration of the competition, in accordance with the ancient principle of the Olympic Truce. This was reported by the UN press service.
"The Olympic Truce proves that even in times of discord, humanity can still find common ground through sport," Baerbock said. She called on all parties involved in ongoing armed conflicts around the world to demonstrate resolve and agree to a genuine, mutual ceasefire for the duration of the Olympic Truce.
Baerbock recalled the ancient Greek tradition of ekecheiria, which translates as "Olympic truce," calling it "the sacred principle of the Olympic Games." She also cited the General Assembly resolution calling on countries to observe a truce from the seventh day before the start of the Winter Olympic Games until the seventh day after the end of the Winter Paralympic Games.
The General Assembly President noted that friendly competition helps overcome differences, and the upcoming Games will be the most gender-balanced in Olympic history. Furthermore, the International Olympic Committee decided to raise the UN flag at the Olympic stadium and in the Olympic villages as a symbol of peace.
The theme of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2023 is “Sport for People and Planet”.
