FIA President Ben Sulayem Drives Global Transformation in Motorsport and Mobility

Dubai, UAE – 9th December 2025: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem marked a milestone week in global motorsport and mobility today in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Speaking at the FIA Annual General Assembly in Tashkent, Ben Sulayem pledged to continue driving positive change across both sectors on a global scale.

Welcoming nearly 500 senior FIA delegates from 149 countries, the assembly took place ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 FIA Presidential Election and the prestigious FIA Awards ceremony. The event brought together leaders from motorsport and mobility organizations, reflecting the broad scope and influence of the FIA.

Ben Sulayem expressed pride in the progress made over the past four years. He emphasized that his focus remains on ensuring the FIA evolves into an organisation that consistently delivers meaningful value to society. "Around the world, we are working to expand participation in motorsport through grassroots pathways and inclusive programmes such as the Affordable Cross Car and the Global Karting Plan," he said.

Simultaneously, the FIA is strengthening its mobility mission in all regions by reinforcing its role within the automotive ecosystem. The organisation is leading important discussions on sustainable cities, safer roads, and the future of transport, aligning with global priorities for safety and sustainability.

Uzbekistan Joins United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Initiative

A significant highlight of the assembly was the Republic of Uzbekistan signing the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Charter, becoming the newest member of this growing global coalition. Ben Sulayem, who founded the UAOA campaign, met with Adkham Ilkhamovich Ikramov, the Minister of Sports of Uzbekistan, to officially welcome the country into the alliance.

The UAOA coalition includes clubs, federations, governments, technology partners, and academic institutions committed to tackling the pervasive problem of online abuse in sport. Online abuse is now widely recognized as one of the biggest challenges affecting the sporting world, threatening athlete performance, welfare, and participation. It impacts not only athletes but also officials, volunteers, and fans at every level.

Uzbekistan, with its strong sporting heritage and position as a powerhouse in modern sport, is committed to championing safer digital environments. The country recognizes the power of a united, global approach to protect its national talent from online harassment and abuse.

Ben Sulayem said, “Sport is one of the greatest forces for good in society and we must safeguard its future. Together, with a growing coalition of over 75 partners around the world, we are delivering lasting change by tackling online abuse and protecting our global sporting community.”

In response, Minister Ikramov stated, “Sport is a source of pride, unity and inspiration, not fear or intimidation. We look forward to supporting this global coalition, which is helping to protect our athletes, officials and supporters and leading the international effort to build a safer digital environment for sport.”

UAOA Campaign Gains Global Recognition

The FIA’s UAOA campaign has experienced rapid growth in recent months and was recently honoured with the Peace and Sport’s Coalition for Peace award. This prestigious accolade recognizes the campaign’s world-leading efforts in creating a formidable movement that drives meaningful change.

By uniting international sport federations and organisations, national governments, and technology platforms, the UAOA campaign is dedicated to fighting online abuse in sport. It also fosters behavioural change through education and research, aiming for a safer, more respectful sporting environment worldwide.

About the FIA

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide. Founded in 1904, the FIA is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability, and equality in both motorsport and mobility.

With offices in Paris, London, and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents. Representing millions of road users, motorsport professionals, and volunteers, the FIA develops and enforces regulations for motorsport—including seven FIA World Championships—to ensure competitions are safe, fair, and exciting for all.