Riyadh: Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), inaugurated the 2025 Dream Asia Foundation Conference in Riyadh. The event, organized by the AFC in collaboration with the United Nations’ ‘Football for the Goals’ initiative, was hosted by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the conference assembled experts and officials from Asia and beyond to deliberate on child protection, youth empowerment, gender equality, and social inclusion. It also served as a platform to review the AFC’s prominent social responsibility initiatives.
In his opening remarks, Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa remarked that the Dream Asia Foundation has emerged as a model for leveraging football to drive positive social change. He highlighted that AFC programs have impacted thousands across the continent through partnerships with member associations and international collaborators.
Shaikh Salman underscored that since the inception of the Dream Asia Foundation, the AFC has worked to reinforce the notion that football transcends being merely a sport. It is a unifying force that can build communities and promote values like respect, equality, and tolerance.
He further noted that over the past eight years, the AFC has made notable progress in social responsibility by implementing developmental and humanitarian initiatives. These efforts, spanning most national and regional member associations, have had a significant impact on supporting children and youth, empowering women, and fostering inclusivity in football. He attributed these successes to the cooperation with the AFC’s partners, who share the belief in football as a catalyst for change.
The conference featured participants from the United Nations, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), FIFA, and various international organizations. Attendees explored ways to leverage football to support sustainable development goals and enhance humanitarian and social engagement.