ASTANA, July 10, 2024 - The "Qazaqstan" athletics sports complex hosted the exhibition "Sport - Ambassador of Peace", timed to coincide with the Day of Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the 100th anniversary of the International Sports Press Association. Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan, prominent public figures, famous athletes. The event featured exhibits that conveyed the spirit of the universal language of sports and their history. 

In his welcome speech, Murager Sauranbay, Deputy Chairman of the International Information Committee of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, noted that this exhibition reflects the unity of sport and diplomacy, which are the main tools for strengthening peace and friendship between countries and people. "Major sporting events often serve as platforms for diplomatic engagement and dialogue, demonstrating the power of sport to foster mutual understanding and respect", he said. In line with the spirit of unity, Sauranbay reminded to the audience of the recently launched "Kazakhstan Goodwill Ambassadors" project. 

The President of the AIPS Gianni Merlo sent a welcome message, which was presented by the Kazakh diplomat, member of the executive committee of AIPS Asia Ilyas Omarov. Gianni Merlo noted the importance of holding such exhibitions in Kazakhstan.

"It is very important for Kazakhstan, for this event that you are organizing, Sport is Ambassador of Peace, but especially for us. It is our Centennial, so I’m glad, really, to be with you because we have the same idea, because sport is really an Ambassador of Peace. And sport journalism is part of this plan because since the beginning, we have always defined the ‘right of peace’ because the peace, is a right of human beings and together, we will continue to work for it, because sport journalism is opening mind of the young generation, is looking to new border, because we must have the border that brings, always us, to peace and to the possibility to connect with each other in the best way. So enjoy your day and we will enjoy our Centennial," said the AIPS President.

In addition, Ilyas Omarov spoke about the history of the creation of AIPS, noting the global activities of the Association. "AIPS today unites journalists from more than 120 countries, this is the UN among sports journalists," noted Ilyas Omarov, emphasizing that the annual AIPS Congresses are comparable in work to the activities of the UN General Assembly.

"Each AIPS Congress presents a good opportunity to talk about important events that Kazakhstan hosted. For example, at previous congresses we presented the winter student games in Almaty and the international specialized exhibition EXPO 2017. And at the Congress held in Santa Susanna this year, we presented the 5th World Nomad Games," noted the Kazakh diplomat.

 

Serik Zharasbayev, Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, also spoke at the event, presenting the large-scale preparatory activities for the Fifth World Nomad Games.

Kazakhstan's Diplomatic Service Day and World Sports Journalists Day are celebrated on the same day - July 2. But due to the holding of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana the exhibition “Sport – Ambassador of Peace” was held at a later date.