Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
In the lead-up to World Environment Day, numerous aquatics federations have signed the World Aquatics Community Sustainability Declaration, a unified commitment to embed sustainability across aquatic sports. The Declaration is part of the broader World Aquatics Sustainability Strategy, the Blueprint, which covers Organisation, Events, and Community pillars. While Organisation and Events address operational and competition delivery, the Community pillar encourages federations to collaborate and share knowledge on sustainability initiatives. By signing, federations commit to six areas: responsible leadership and governance, environmental responsibility, social equity and inclusion, sustainable events and operations, education and engagement, and ongoing collaboration and improvement.
Some federations emphasize their direct link to environmental challenges. The American Samoa Swimming Association, representing an island community of fewer than 50,000 people, highlights how sustainability, or its absence, impacts small, fragile environments. President Erika Radewagen notes efforts such as promoting reusable water bottles to reduce single-use plastics in ocean and pool settings. Similarly, Fédération Congolaise de Natation, led by President Alain Kounoumono, stresses aligning actions with international governance, natural resource protection, social development, and fostering an inclusive, environmentally friendly sport.
Swimming Australia sees sustainability as stewardship of the sport. Executive General Manager for Government and International Relations, Sam Watson, remarks that the federation welcomes the Declaration as a way to unify the global aquatics community in adopting practices mindful of future generations.