A/HRC/RES/13/27 Recognizing the potential of sport as a universal language contributing to educating people on the values of diversity, tolerance and fairness and as a means to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Acknowledging the use of mass sport events to promote and support sport for development and peace initiatives and, in this regard, welcoming General Assembly resolution 63/135 of 11 December 2008, in which the Assembly recognized the value of sport as a means to promote education, development and peace and welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Office of Sport for Development and Peace, Recognizing the potential of sport in contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and noting that, as declared at the 2005 World Summit, sport has the potential to foster peace and development and to contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding, Recognizing also the potential contribution of the Special Adviser to the SecretaryGeneral on Sport for Development and Peace, the Office of Sport for Development and Peace, the Physical Education and Sport Unit of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Group of Friends of Sport for Development and Peace to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in sports, Recognizing further the imperative need to engage women and girls in the practice of sport for development and peace and, in this regard, welcoming activities that aim to foster and encourage such initiatives at the global level, Welcoming General Assembly resolution 64/4 of 19 October 2009 on the building of a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal and, in this context, welcoming also the adoption on that date of resolution 64/3, in which the Assembly invited the International Olympic Committee to participate in its sessions and work in the capacity of observer, Recalling Council resolution 9/14 of 18 September 2008, in which the Council urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to take measures, in consultation with various international sporting and other organizations, to enable them to contribute to the struggle against racism and racial discrimination, Recalling also Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/64 of 20 April 2005, in which the Commission condemned all acts of racism in sporting events and urged all States and national, regional and international sporting associations and federations to adopt firm measures for the prevention of such acts, Expressing serious concern at past and recent incidents of racism in sports and at sporting events and, in this context, welcoming efforts of sports governing bodies to combat racism, including by pursuing anti-racism initiatives and by developing and applying disciplinary codes that impose sanctions for racist acts, Noting with appreciation the initiatives taken by the United Nations system, as well as national, regional and international sports federations and organizations, to promote development and peace through sport and physical education and, in this respect, acknowledging the importance of the work of grass-roots organizations, Welcoming the readiness of South Africa to host the historic 2010 International Federation of Association Football World Cup, to be held for the first time on the African continent in recognition of its contribution to the advancement of world sports, and recalling the endorsement and support of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union for efforts to ensure the success of the event, 2