FIFA, the world football's governing body, announced three Commitments to Action at the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative this week in New York, prompting former President Clinton to recognise the organisation for its engagement to world development goals.

"Our mission as world football’s governing body is to develop the game all around the globe and to use the power of football for positive social change. We are honoured to join the Clinton Global Initiative, and the commitments we will announce this week will further contribute to advancing that mission," said Jerome Valcke, FIFA's Secretary General, who will be on stage at 13.00 local time on Thursday, 24 September to announce one of the commitments together with former US President Clinton and Queen Rania of Jordan.

While FIFA has supported humanitarian activities and made charitable donations for over a decade, it has now moved away from a passive philanthropic role and established itself as a committed, responsible and involved actor. This is a new approach in the world of sports and Federico Addiechi, Head of FIFA's Corporate Social Responsibility Department, will discuss FIFA's commitments during a panel discussion at 10.30 local time on Thursday, 24 September.

FIFA will announce the following three Commitments to Action at the CGI meeting:

• 20 Centres for 2010: The twenty Football for Hope Centres will be built across Africa, with the first one due to open in December. FIFA has committed to spend USD 9 million in the next five years on realising this project.

20 centres for 2010 is part of the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa that FIFA wishes to leave through the Football for Hope movement, launched with streetfootballworld The centres will provide public health and educational facilities as well as football-based development programmes in some of the most disadvantaged communities.

• "1 Goal: Education for All": A pledge to have 30 million fans sign up to support universal education through the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM). The "1 Goal" campaign, an initiative coordinated by the Global Campaign for Education, encourages governments to ensure that the 75 million children currently out of school get access to basic education.
• The third Commitment to Action will be the Sports for Youth Development programme of the Inter-American Development Bank. The programme, intends to use football as a vehicle for social development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will be financially supported by FIFA. It aims to develop life skills among youth, prevent violence and improve education through football.

The Clinton Global Initiative was founded in 2005 by former US President Bill Clinton. It holds annual meetings in New York City which coincide with the annual UN General Assembly meetings. CGI aims to bring together political and business leaders with NGO's in order to develop poverty-relief solutions and raise money for education, environmental assistance and healthcare.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Jerome Valcke will be available to the press in the afternoon of Thursday, 24 September. Federico Addiechi will be available to the press during the CGI meetings from Wednesday, 23 September to Friday, 25 September. To schedule an interview, please call Becky Lauer on +1 212 468 4125.

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