DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, has welcomed the government of Georgia to the organization’s growing United Against Online Abuse coalition.
Georgian Minister of Sport Shalva Gogoladze formally signed the charter during a meeting with the FIA chief over the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
It becomes the 10th country to join the united and influential coalition of governments, sporting bodies and technology platforms committed to combating online harassment and hate speech across the sporting world. Members of the group work in close partnership to confront the rise of online hate and its damaging impact on mental health, participation in and integrity of sport.
During their meeting, Ben Sulayem and Gogoladze discussed the minister’s commitment to protecting athletes and safe sports, as well as his “Start to Talk” campaign on the reporting of harassment and abuse.
As part of UAOA’s work to shape effective policies and strategies to address online abuse, the campaign is looking forward to collaborating with Georgia, exchanging best practices and strengthening cooperation through evidence-sharing.
UAOA was founded by Ben Sulayem in 2022 as a new initiative by the FIA, which is the governing body for world motorsport and the federation for mobility organizations.
He said: “I am delighted to welcome the government of Georgia to the United Against Online Abuse coalition. This endorsement underscores Georgia’s leadership in recognizing online abuse as a serious threat to the future of sport. Together we are building a strong, global alliance that will deliver meaningful change and make sport a safer space for everyone.”
Gogoladze added: “Georgia is honored to stand with our international partners in the fight against online abuse in sport. Signing the United Against Online Abuse Charter reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting safety, respect, and mental wellbeing for all athletes, coaches, officials and fans. We are proud to support this global movement established by the FIA and to play our part in creating a sporting culture that thrives on safety and inclusivity, both on and off the field.”
The campaign has witnessed rapid growth in recent months and was recently awarded Peace and Sport’s prestigious Coalition for Peace award in recognition of its efforts.
To date, the coalition has welcomed endorsements from the governments of Greece, France, Slovenia, Albania, Australia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia and Rwanda, alongside organizations such as the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations.
