PARIS — The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) officially convened the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Coalition at its Paris headquarters for its first-ever UAOA Convening roundtable event.
Supported by the EU Forum and the FIA Foundation, the summit gathered more than 35 international and domestic partners spanning academia, sports governance, government bodies, and policy sectors. The primary objective of the meeting was to evaluate current global frameworks, pinpoint operational gaps, and reinforce the coalition’s collaborative approach to eliminating digital harassment across the sporting landscape.
Driving Systematic Change
The roundtable was built around the core UAOA operational pillars: Stronger Together, Evidence-Based, and Comitted to Action. FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem introduced the event, which featured insights from key institutional figures, including:
- Belkhir Belhaddad (Député de la Moselle, French National Assembly)
- Julia Pélissier (CNOSF)
- Giulia Scacchi (UNESCO)
- Benoît Loutrel (ARCOM)
- Gabriela Matei (Council of Europe)
Delegates spent the session confronting critical policy challenges and drafting unified strategies to combat toxic digital behavior. A major takeaway from the discussions was the urgent need to build safer environments where athletes feel secure enough to report their experiences. Additionally, attendees emphasized that overcoming funding shortages will require highly coordinated strategic efforts and deeper engagement with sectors outside traditional sports governance.
A Shared Vision for Safer Sports Culture
The FIA reiterated its dedication to leading the charge against one of the digital era’s most pressing athletic challenges. This inaugural roundtable serves as a foundational step toward the coalition’s ultimate goal: fostering long-term cultural and behavioral changes online.
“No one can solve the issue of online abuse alone,” stated FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “This is not just a technology or a sports issue; it is about people, respect, and safety. That is why our United Against Online Abuse coalition is continuing to grow, and it is great to see our community come together again at our Spring Convening.
This meeting is about moving forward and taking action together to shape a safer future for sport. Thank you to all of our partners for your continued commitment and for the work you do every day.”
Summit Overview
| Event | UAOA Inaugural Convening Roundtable |
| Host Organization | Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) |
| Key Supporters | FIA Foundation & The European Union |
| Attendance | 35+ Global Partners (Sport, Policy, Government, Academia) |
| Core Mission | Cultivating safer digital spaces for athletes through multi-sector policy reform. |
