UN-Habitat Launches "Cycle to Recycle initiative" to Promote SDGs

In order to raise awareness around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN-Habitat, Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, Mushaireb city and Doha Cyclists, cycled around downtown Mushaireb on the sidelines of the 22nd FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The initiative, “Cycle to Recycle”, aimed to create a movement to encourage alternative ways, including shedding light on different modes of mobility, to promote more sustainable cities.

According to UN-Habitat, nearly thirty participants from different sectors of society, including community leaders, youth advocates, sport figures and persons with disabilities, participated in the initiative in the presence of Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN-Habitat Executive Director.

The cycling route around downtown Mushaireb started at Baraha in front of the inflatable installation and ended at Bin Jelmood House, one of Mushaireb’s museums, with three other stops in the middle.

“Cycle to Recycle”, which comes under the “Scoring for the Goals” campaign, particularly advocates SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production patterns).

“You might wonder why we mention sustainable development during this event. Football is a mass sport with millions of fans and followers,” Sharif said. “If people learn about Sustainable Development Goals here, they will know more and will help us achieve more. This means we have higher chances of achieving our Global Goals by 2030.”

Such initiatives also engage different stakeholders and community members, providing networking opportunities and paving the way to partnerships for the Goals.

“Scoring for the Goals” highlights the value of football in enhancing sustainable development, peace, tolerance, inclusion and climate action.

It's worth mentioning that UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. Working with governments and local partners, its high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a dedicated Goal on cities, SDG 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.