The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has welcomed the UN's call for countries to observe "the Olympic Truce" during the Paris Games from July 26-August 11 and the subsequent Paralympics.
A resolution respecting the truce was formally adopted by the UN in November last year. The truce begins from seven days before the start of the Olympic Games until seven days after the Paralympics.
"I solemnly appeal to all Member States to demonstrate their commitment to the Olympic Truce for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and to undertake concrete actions at the local, national, regional and world levels to promote and strengthen a culture of peace and harmony based on the spirit of the truce," said United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Dennis Francis.
He called on all warring parties around the world to agree to "true mutual ceasefires" for the duration of the truce. Russia's war on Ukraine is almost two-and-a-half-years-old while Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip continues.
IOC president Thomas Bach was pleased to hear the UN's stance, adding: "The Olympic Truce represents the very essence of what the Olympic Games stand for – peace, unity and the hope of building a better world."
Russia as a nation is banned from the Games but athletes can compete as neutrals if certain conditions are met.