India Co-Hosts UN Games 2025, Leads Chess & Yoga

FIDE World Chess Championship: India’s D Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren

India is playing a key role in co-organizing the second edition of the United Nations Games, taking the lead in chess and yoga as part of this annual initiative designed to promote diplomacy and global cooperation through sports.

“It was a privilege to be part of the opening ceremony of the Second UN Games. As a co-organizer, India will spearhead activities in chess and yoga,” said India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, in a post on X on Wednesday.

Harish emphasized that the UN Games embody the spirit of international unity and collaboration.

“I look forward to cricket being included in the next edition of the Games. Wishing all participants the very best. Team @IndiaUNNewYork, make us proud,” he added, referring to the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

The 2025 United Nations Games are scheduled to take place between April and May. Yoga will be conducted on April 9 at the Rose Garden, located in the North Lawn of the UN headquarters, while chess competitions will be held on the same day in the Olympic Corner of the North Lawn. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a historic yoga session at the same location during the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2023.

Harish pointed out that while not everyone is an athlete, many in the diplomatic community are enthusiastic sports fans. Although individuals may support different teams, they share a common love for sports.

As a passionate cricket enthusiast, like over a billion Indians, Harish expressed his hope that cricket would be introduced in future editions of the UN Games.

India is again honored to lead the chess and yoga segments this year. Since the 2014 UN resolution declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga adopted with the backing of a record number of member states has gained immense global popularity.

Regarding chess, Harish highlighted India’s deep-rooted history with the game, noting that the country was among the first to develop early versions of modern chess centuries ago. Today, Indian players continue to make their mark on the world stage, with young grandmasters setting new records and winning prestigious championships.

In 2024, Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion at 18, dethroning defending champion Ding Liren of China.

Harish expressed confidence that the values of friendship and sportsmanship would be reflected not only in the competition but also in the professional and diplomatic engagements that promote international peace.

The UN Games are based on the United Nations General Assembly resolution ‘United Nations Games’ of September 2024, along with other resolutions advocating for peace and global unity through sports.

The opening ceremony of the United Nations Games 2025 was held at the UN headquarters on Wednesday, officially marking the start of a month-long celebration of sports, diplomacy, and international friendship.

According to the UN, the Games are designed to enhance solidarity and well-being among UN agencies and diplomatic missions through sports. Building on the momentum of the 2024 inaugural Games, this year’s edition expands participation across the UN system, featuring 11 disciplines.

The sports lineup includes football, basketball, pickleball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, yoga, chess, and running. The organizing committee is chaired by Turkmenistan.