On 29 July 2025, the International Blind Football Foundation, a general incorporated foundation, was formally granted special consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This is a rare achievement for a Japanese sports-related organisation.
ECOSOC is one of the three principal councils of the United Nations, responsible for discussing and making recommendations on international issues in the economic and social fields. This accreditation enables our foundation to participate in meetings and events held at United Nations Headquarters in New York and offices in Geneva and Vienna and participate in public consultations through written submissions. It allows us to directly convey our views and proposals to the international community regarding the resolution of social issues through blind football and the advancement of the rights of persons with visual impairments.
As of September 2025, approximately 6,700 organisations worldwide hold ECOSOC consultative status, with around 80 such organisations in Japan possessing equivalent status. Among these, IBF Foundation stands as a rare example of an international NGO focused on sport. This recognition reflects the high regard for our Foundation’s efforts to utilise sport to address societal challenges related to vision.
Specifically, IBF Foundation will henceforth possess the following authorisations:
○ Participation in United Nations sessions, events, and meetings at the New York Headquarters, Geneva Office, and Vienna Office.
○ Submit written statements.
○ Make oral presentations.
○ Take part in consultations with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies.
○ Use of United Nations facilities.
From now on, we shall leverage this newly granted status to intensify our efforts in addressing visual challenges. This will involve making proposals concerning visual impairment and disabled sports, collaborating with other international NGOs and governmental bodies, and pursuing the international expansion of existing projects such as the ‘VISI-ONE Innovation Hub’.
