FIA President Ben Sulayem leads global fight against online abuse at Stockholm conference

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FIA President Ben Sulayem leads global fight against online abuse at Stockholm conference

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), has called for a united global approach to protect athletes, officials, volunteers, and fans from the growing threat of online abuse.

Speaking at the second United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) global conference in Stockholm, Ben Sulayem urged collaboration across sports, technology, government, and academia to combat digital harassment.

The conference brought together more than 140 global and industry leaders both in person and online, reinforcing a shared commitment to build safer and more inclusive digital environments.

A declaration of common purpose

Opening the conference, Ben Sulayem said:
“We are united by one goal: to protect sport from online abuse. As a force for good it inspires us, brings us together, and teaches us respect, teamwork, and discipline. With growth comes risk, and we must protect our community. This conference is not simply a meeting of minds, it is a declaration of our common purpose.”

Launched in 2023 with the support of the FIA Foundation, the UAOA campaign has since produced groundbreaking research, launched global awareness initiatives, and convened stakeholders to promote respectful and inclusive digital spaces.

Expanding the coalition

During the event, the coalition welcomed two new charter signatories: Signify Group and the International Federation for Sport Officials (IFSO). They joined more than 70 existing partners, including governments and industry organizations, committed to tackling online abuse.

Ben Sulayem highlighted their inclusion as an important step toward broadening the coalition’s reach and effectiveness:
“We are very excited to welcome Signify and IFSO. Their pioneering work strengthens our ability to combine research, regulation, and innovation to drive meaningful change worldwide, reaching and engaging with an even broader athlete audience.”

A united effort

The FIA stressed that winning the fight against online abuse requires a combined global strategy, where sports, technology companies, regulators, and academia work together. With new partnerships and growing support, the UAOA initiative aims to deliver long-lasting solutions to ensure digital safety across sport and beyond.