North-South Prize of the Council of Europe honours IPC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was one of the recipients of the 30th North-South Prize of the Council of Europe on Wednesday (29 October), honouring the organisation’s initiative to make possible the participation of refugee athletes at the Paralympic Games. 

Held in the Senate room of the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon, the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe honours laureates for their contributions to the protection of human rights, defence of democracy or raising public awareness on issues of interdependence and global solidarity.

Since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games when two refugee athletes competed, the IPC has worked to have a Refugee Paralympic Team at the Paralympic Games. At Tokyo 2020, six athletes represented the team, while at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games eight athletes and one guide made up the biggest Refugee Paralympic Team to-date.

At Paris 2024, Zakia Khudadadi made history winning the team’s first ever Paralympic medal with bronze in Para taekwondo. Sprinter Guillaume Junior Atangana and his guide Donard Ndim Nyamjua also were bronze medal winners in Para athletics.

In October 2025, Atangana, courtesy of IPC support that enabled him to compete at the 2025 the World Athletics Championship in India, made further history. By winning 400m T11 gold, he became the first refugee athlete in any sport to win a world title.

Receiving the award on behalf of the IPC in Lisbon was its Vice President and four-time Paralympian Leila Marques Mota.

“On behalf of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), it is a wonderful honour for the Paralympic Movement’s global governing body to be recognised with the prestigious North-South Prize,” Marques Mota said.

“Since the first Refugee Paralympic Team competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with two athletes, the IPC’s commitment to creating Para sport opportunities for athletes with refugee status has increased significantly.

“All Paralympians have incredible stories of resilience. However, the stories of Refugee Paralympic athletes are beyond awe-inspiring.

“Therefore, while it is wonderful for the IPC to be recognised with this Prize, I want to dedicate it to all the Paralympians since 2016 that have represented the Paralympic Refugee Team.

“Refugee athletes have persevered and shown unbelievable determination on and off the field of play. Their Paralympic performances in front of billions of TV viewers have given every refugee around the world hope, shining a light on the transformational impact of sport.”

Khudadadhi, who also attended the ceremony, emphasised the importance of sport in her speech.

"I want to say to all women, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, that hope is alive. You are not alone. Sport is a universal language of peace, freedom, and dignity. My message is a call for courage: keep dreaming, keep fighting for your rights, and keep believing in a better future.

"I have committed myself to sport and peace because I deeply believe in the power of sport to transform lives. Having overcome many challenges myself, I want to be a voice for those who don’t have one, especially women and young people in difficult circumstances. Sport gave me inner strength and a platform to promote peace and equality."

In addition to the IPC’s being honoured for its Refugee Paralympic Team, so were the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Refuge Foundation. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations was also recognised for his career dedicated to fostering peace, dialogue and understanding between different regions, notably in the Middle East.

To date the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe has honoured 60 laureates, including Andre Azoulay, Bob Geldorf, Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson, Simone Veil and the International Commission against the Death Penalty.