The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will help coordinate and strengthen private sector support for increasing physical activity and community sport participation in order to improve global health.  

The MOU is focused on the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) 2018-2030.   

According to WHO estimates, non-communicable diseases that may have been avoided by increasing physical activity cost public health systems approximately US$ 27 billion annually to treat. 

Between 2020 and 2030, according to the WHO, an extra 500 million individuals are expected to suffer noncommunicable diseases linked to physical inactivity. 

Regular physical activity and sports help prevent heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancers, and other non-communicable diseases. It also improves well-being, beneficial in treating depression.

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is a global, not-for-profit, business association of manufacturers and retailers of sports products whose collective membership represents 70% of the global industry turnover.