Sport and security programme
The security governance workstream of UNOCT’s Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism is dedicated to safeguarding major sporting events as a common good of the international community.
UNOCT fosters inter-agency collaboration and partnerships among Member States, recognizing that securing these events from terrorist attacks requires a coordinated approach involving public authorities, host nations, sports federations, civil society, and private stakeholders. This collective effort is essential to addressing the multifaceted and complex security challenges associated with hosting major sporting events.
Through its Global Sports Programme, UNOCT not only addresses these security concerns but also takes proactive steps to mitigate human rights concerns related to major sporting events. By embedding the principles of safety, security, and service into event planning and management, the Programme ensures these global gatherings create a positive and lasting legacy, including enhanced security frameworks and infrastructure development.
Main Activities
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Upon request, and in cooperation with the concerned sport federations and organizing committees, the Programme provides tailored technical assistance to Member States to support the security governances of sport events. |
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The Programme fosters inter-agency collaboration and partnerships among Member States, international and regional organizations, sports federations, civil society, and private stakeholders through a global community of over 2,300 experts, which includes a National Focal Points network representing over 130 Member States. Coordination is ensured through regional meetings and online expert briefings to enhance the exchange of information, good practices, and experiences. |
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The Programme has developed a Guide on the Security of Major Sporting Events and an e-learning course on “” available on UNOCT’s award-winning Connect & Learn platform. |
Publications
Guide on the Security of Major Sporting Events: Promoting Sustainable Security and Legacies: This publication provides guidance to policy-makers and practitioners on how to prepare, organize and manage sporting events while mitigating the constantly evolving threats posed by terrorism.
This publication is available in: [AR] [CH] [EN] [FR] [RU] [SP]
E-learning
Do you want to strengthen your knowledge on the protection of vulnerable targets and major sporting events?
- This UNOCT e-learning self-paced course comprises seven thematic modules that will help you enhance your skills. Read more.
- Follow this to register.
To date, beneficiaries include:
- Cameroon, host of the Total Energies African Cup of Football in 2022
- Costa Rica, host of the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
- Chile, host of the Pan American and Parapan American Games in 2023
- Cote d’Ivoire, host of the Total Energies African Cup of Football in 2024
- Ghana, host of the XIII African Games in 2024
- Indonesia, host of the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and candidate to host future major sporting events
- Kenya, co-host of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations of Football (AFCON) together with Tanzania and Uganda
- Maldives, candidate to host the Asian Swimming Olympics in 2025
- Mexico, co-host of the FIFA World Cup 2026
Photo Gallery
Central Command Centre of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by C?te d’Ivoire. UNOCT participated in a technical inspection mission to evaluate the security planning and preparedness for the tournament, July 2023, Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire. Photo/UNOCT.
Security Command and Control Centre at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, one of the sites visited during UNOCT’s technical assessment mission, August 2022, Santiago. Photo/UNOCT.
National Focal Point Regional Forum for Asia and the Pacific, May 2022, Bangkok, Thailand. Photo/UNOCT.
Technical Assessment Mission, Stade de la Réunification in Douala, Cameroon, hosted matches of the African Cup of Nations in January 2022. Photo/UNOCT.
Opening of the United Nations Global Sports Programme National Focal Point Regional Forum for Europe, cohosted by the Major of the City of Málaga and UNITAR CIFAL, December 2021, Málaga. Photo/UNOCT.