On 8 December, at UNESCO headquarters, during an extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS), Ukraine was re-elected to the Bureau as Vice-Chair for 2026.

For the next two years, from the Second Regional Group, Ukraine will be the Vice-Chair of CIGEPS in 2026, and Slovenia in 2027.

During its term in CIGEPS (2023-2027), Ukraine will be the Vice-Chair of CIGEPS for the third consecutive year. Following its victory in the elections in November 2023, Ukraine was elected as the Vice-Chair of CIGEPS for 2023-2025. Ukraine’s influence in CIGEPS is growing.

The role of CIGEPS is to shape global sports policy, promote the development of physical education, ensure inclusiveness, safety and accessibility of sports for all, and support states in implementing international standards and programs in this area.

The Vice-Chairmanship in CIGEPS is a platform that allows Ukraine to be heard, inform the international community about the challenges our state faces in the conditions of a full-scale war with the Russian Federation, and shape the future of sports at the global level.

For Ukraine, this means strengthening its influence on the international arena; ensuring support for Ukrainian sports during Russia’s full-scale military aggression; access to international programs and grants; promoting modern approaches to physical education; and confirming its status as an active and reliable partner.

At a time when Ukrainian sports are experiencing difficult challenges, it is important to strengthen Ukraine’s international influence in the field of physical education and sports in UNESCO and other relevant international organizations.