A/HRC/RES/43/18 kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires human understanding, tolerance, fair play and solidarity, Acknowledging also the valuable contribution that the appeal by the International Olympic Committee for an Olympic Truce, also known as ekecheiria, could make towards international understanding and peace and the advancement of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and recalling in that regard that recreational programmes, sport and games have helped to reduce tensions in some regions where there is armed conflict, Noting that sports could be a strong force for equality and diversity, and may play a role in the promotion of compassion, tolerance and acceptance for refugees and migrants, and welcoming in this context the participation in Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as in mega sporting events of teams of refugees, which might inspire a new understanding of the rights of millions of people caught up in crises around the world, Acknowledging the very important role of the media in the promotion and popularization of sport and in raising public awareness of the merits of practicing as a key element of a healthy lifestyle, thus contributing to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and the positive role that they may play when reporting on how sport can translate into respect for human rights and promote social cohesion and acceptance of diversity and the values of sport, including integrity, teamwork, excellence, respect, tolerance, fair play and friendship, Welcoming the hosting of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in the cities of Tokyo, Beijing, Paris, Milan and Cortina, Italy and Los Angeles, United States of America in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028 respectively, and the successful conclusion of the Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2020, and stressing the opportunity to promote human rights, especially through sport and the Olympic ideal, Recognizing the potential of sport and major sporting events in contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and encouraging Member States to use all opportunities offered by sport and its values to that end, and recalling in this regard that the General Assembly, in its resolution 74/16, recognized that Tokyo 2020 aimed to ensure a sustainable delivery of the Games, Taking into account the need to address and prevent improper practices of stakeholders engaged in the organization and preparation of sports events, which may lead to human rights violations and abuses and negatively affect the economic, social and environmental spheres, and recalling that the General Assembly, its resolution 73/24, encouraged relevant entities involved in delivering major sporting events to respect applicable laws and international principles, including the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and also recognized that such events should be organized in the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, friendship, tolerance and inadmissibility of discrimination of any kind, Being aware of the need to actively involve sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and other major sporting events in achieving the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities and respect for their inherent dignity, while recognizing efforts made by hosting countries to create a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities, and stressing the need to continue to build on such efforts, including those made most recently at the latest Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2018 International Federation of Association Football World Cup in the Russian Federation, and those made ahead of Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and Qatar 2022, Acknowledging the role that the Paralympic Movement plays in showcasing the achievements of athletes with disabilities to a global audience and in acting as a primary vehicle to promote positive perceptions and greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in sport and society, Recognizing the need to support the independence and autonomy of sport and to preserve integrity in sports in all aspects through good governance of sport executive bodies and the effective and impartial implementation of anti-corruption, anti-doping and other relevant regulations, without prejudice to the human rights of athletes, 3