World Running Day
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 66/2 of 19 September 2011 on the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases and 68/98 of 11 December 2013 on global health and foreign policy,
Reaffirming its resolutions 53/199 of 15 December 1998 and 61/185 of 20 December 2006 on the proclamation of international years, and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on international years and anniversaries, in particular paragraphs 1 to 10 of the annex thereto on the agreed criteria for the proclamation of international years, as well as paragraphs 13 and 14, in which it is stated that an international day or year should not be proclaimed before the basic arrangements for its organization and financing have been made,
Recognizing the contribution of sport to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, as declared in its resolutions 60/1 of 16 September 2005 and 65/1 of 22 September 2010,
Recalling that, in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 1 inter alia, sport was recognized as an important enabler of sustainable development,
Recognizing that sports, the arts and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, prejudices and behaviours, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, combat discrimination and defuse conflict, as reflected in the political declaration adopted at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in 2018, 2
Noting the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health,
Underscoring the fact that global health is a long-term development objective that requires closer international cooperation through the exchange of best practices aimed at building better individual lifestyles devoid of excesses of all kinds,
Admitting that running is one of the most accessible and natural ways to maintain health, and also admitting that running has a long tradition and history, and has been making a significant contribution to the consolidation of people all around the world for many years
1. Decides to declare 10 April World Running Day;
2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant international organizations, international, regional and national sports organizations, civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and all other relevant stakeholders to cooperate in observing World Running Day, to celebrate the Day to raise awareness of the benefits of running;
3. Encourages stakeholders to emphasize and advance running as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace;
4. Stresses that the cost of all activities that may arise from the implementation of the present resolution should be met from voluntary contributions;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of Member States and the organizations of the United Nations system.
1 Resolution 70/1
2 Resolution 73/1
