UNESCO’s flagship sports programme aims to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by improving the wellbeing of young people around the world.

Fit for Life is framed as a solution to help tackle crises in physical inactivity, mental health and inequality in the world of sport that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Increasing grassroots participation in sport and reducing inactivity, supporting the development of inclusive sport policies and empowering young people are among five objectives set out by UNESCO’s social and human sciences Programme.

UNESCO also wants to support teachers and coaches and build evidence to aid targeted investments in sport as an accelerator in the COVID-19 recovery.

It believes that Fit for Life will provide sporting organisations and Governments with a joined-up implementation framework that aims to help countries "build back better".

It is hoped that the official closure of this conference in Azerbaijan's capital on Friday (June 29) will see UNESCO’s member states will adopt and launch the Fit for Life Alliance.

Today saw 16 organisations got behind the programme including Nike in a bid to create a "driving force for change".

"Nike places both financial support as well as existing resources to advance the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Fit for Life study and the development and implementation of sport and gender equality game plan including the implementation of Nike’s coaching girls guides," Dan Burrow, director of social and community impact for Nike, said.

Patricia Scotland, secretary general of the Commonwealth Secretariat, also spoke in favour of the Fit for Life scheme.

"We believe in the power of sport to make a positive contribution to all societies and are committed to measures the contribution of sport policies and programmes to the sustainable development goals," said Scotland.

"We recognise the importance of collective action and we are pleased to acknowledge our active support of UNESCO’s fit for Life Alliance.

"As the secretary general of the Commonwealth of nations, representing 56 equal and sovereign states and our partners in five regions and across six oceans of the world, we will continue to use sport as a tool to advancing socio economic and social development including health outcomes and strengthening Governments in inclusion, equality and promotion of human rights in and through sports."

The Global Esports Federation, Rafael Nadal Foundation, International Sports Press Association, Atletas Pelo Brasil, Center for Sport and Human Rights, Futebol Dá Força, Programme Sport for Development, Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport, Healthy Brains Global Initiative, Laureus Sport, Stanford University, Sports4Impact, Wu Tsai Human Performance Initiative and Yunus Sports Hub were the other bodies to back the Fit for Life Alliance.

"We are really excited," said Gabriela Ramos, assistant director general for social and human science of UNESCO.

"You have all contributed a lot of knowledge and energy and have the infrastructure ready but the reality is that together we are going to be the leaders.

"Launching this global Fit for Life Alliance is a dream come true for UNESCO.

"We want this to fly very high for sport."