KIGALI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has become the first African country to sign the "United Against Online Abuse" (UAOA) charter to combat online abuse in sports, Rwanda's Ministry of Sports said in a statement Friday.
The initiative, championed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the governing body of motorsport, to address online abuse and hate speech in sports, was signed in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, by Rwanda's Minister of Sports Richard Nyirishema and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The event took place on the sidelines of the Dec. 10-13 FIA General Assemblies week in Kigali.
"This step aligns with Rwanda's values of inclusivity and accountability. We are proud to join the 'United Against Online Abuse' campaign and contribute to fostering a safer digital environment in sports," Nyirishema said in the statement.
The UAOA campaign calls for collective action among governments, technology platforms, and sporting organizations to ensure safer digital spaces for athletes, fans, and stakeholders.
Sulayem, the FIA president, said that FIA and Rwanda share values and goals in key areas such as innovation, sustainability, and road safety, and look forward to a continued partnership.
"The future of motorsport in Africa, and in Rwanda, is bright," he said.
At the signing event, officials also explored opportunities for collaboration in motorsport and mobility development in Rwanda.
The UAOA Charter, founded by the FIA and supported by the FIA Foundation, is described as a cornerstone of the campaign. It outlines principles for combating online abuse through research, education, advocacy, and technological innovation.
The UAOA is a collaborative mission that brings together sporting organizations, national governments, regulatory institutions, and technology platforms as a global coalition to research and tackle online abuse in the sports ecosystem.
The campaign produces regular research reports and organizes international events and forums, serving as the leading global initiative in the fight against online abuse in sports, according to the sports ministry statement. ■
