Greece-based Sports Tourism Body for Peace Gains International Attention

Photo: GTP

The International Sports and Tourism Organization for Peace & Prosperity (ISTO for P&P), a goodwill organization set to be established in Greece, has already attracted the interest of nations and international bodies from around the world.

An initiative of Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, the organization aims to promote peace and understanding through the values of sport and hospitality.

Greece’s Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios and Lebanon’s Tourism Minister Avedis  Guidanian sign the foundational document for the establishment of ISTO for P&P.

A few days after the signing of its foundational document by the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon, a number of countries have expressed their interest to join ISTO for P&P.

“Already, 53 countries have expressed interest to become part of the organization, once it is established,” former UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai told reporters during a press conference held in Athens on Monday.

Meanwhile, according to Minister Kountoura, two world-renowned athletes have accepted Greece’s invitation to support the initiative, whose names will be revealed soon.

“Tourism and sports unite people and nations. They have the power to inspire and mobilize millions of people around the world. Furthermore, they contribute to the development of the global economy through the creation of new sources of income and jobs,” Kountoura said.

Also present at the press event were Ambassador and former Chairperson of the UNWTO Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty Foundation Young-shim Dho; Greece’s Foreign Minister George Katrougalos, and Deputy Sports Minister George Vasiliadis.

George Katrougalos, Elena Kountoura, Taleb Rifai, Young-shim Dho and George Vassiliadis present the t-shirts with the logo of the ISTO P&P.

ISTO’s founding members have decided to set up the new organization’s headquarters in Greece due to the country’s long connection with democracy and civilization.

“Where else would you have the ISTO headquarters established, than in Athens, Greece?” Ambassador Young-shim Dho said during the event, also adding that ISTO’s members have the passion and the expertise to create and run the organization.

ISTO for P&P will integrate the principles of sustainable development: Global economic prosperity, social cohesion, sustainable environment and good governance.

The organization will also support its member states and partners in their efforts to conduct research and develop projects towards the elimination poverty and inequalities, in line with UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Furthermore, ISTO for P&P will foster public-private partnerships in efforts to safeguard natural and cultural heritage and support socio-economic development.