The Commonwealth has launched its first-ever Global Sport and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Baseline and Initial Impact Report at Canada House, London. The report establishes a baseline for measuring how physical education, physical activity, and sport (PEPAS) contribute to achieving the SDGs. Its findings reveal progress across Commonwealth countries, with Jamaica emerging as a global leader in two SDG domains.
Drawing on data from 210 countries, the report, led by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with global stakeholders, provides a shared framework to strengthen policy, investment, and accountability in sport for development across the Commonwealth’s 56 member states and beyond. It demonstrates how sport drives progress in areas including health, education, economic growth, gender equality, and peaceful, inclusive societies.
At the launch, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo emphasized that while sport is a powerful tool for sustainable development, its impact has often been undervalued. He noted that the report highlights where sport is making a difference, identifies gaps, and provides guidance on maximizing its contribution to the SDGs, stressing that global cooperation is key for effective measurement and national-level action.
The report identifies key achievements across Commonwealth countries. In health and well-being, Singapore ranks highest for sport’s contribution to health, well-being, and sustainable cities. Jamaica leads globally in education for consistent policy implementation, specialist PE teachers, and program monitoring, followed by Trinidad and Tobago and Samoa. Malta ranks highest in economic growth and employment within European Commonwealth countries, while Malaysia leads in reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive societies through sport. Jamaica also tops the Commonwealth and global rankings for advancing gender equality, and Australia leads in strengthening institutions, partnerships, and the integrity of sport.
Despite these achievements, the report notes that physical inactivity remains a major global challenge, with over 31% of adults and 82.8% of adolescents insufficiently active, and women and girls consistently less active than men and boys. Physical inactivity is now the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, contributing to 3.2 million premature deaths annually. The report also reveals that only 31.98% of national sport policies align with the SDGs, indicating untapped potential for sport to accelerate sustainable development and deliver broader social benefits.
Designed as a practical policy tool, the report supports governments, development agencies, sports organizations, and researchers in leveraging sport for sustainable development. Country-specific data is available through an interactive dashboard, developed with input from over 150 government, sport, and civil society partners, including UNESCO, WHO, the International Olympic Committee, and Peace and Sport Monaco. The report also delivers Action Area 2 of the Kazan Action Plan, which commits to creating shared indicators for measuring sport’s contribution to the SDGs.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for the Commonwealth, ahead of the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting, the Commonwealth Games, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), highlighting sport’s central role in development, diplomacy, and advancing the 2030 Agenda.
