ACES participated in the EU Sport Forum 2026, held in Paphos from 14 to 16 April, reaffirming its active role within the European sport policy landscape.

The Forum, one of the European Union’s flagship events in the field of sport, brought together key institutional representatives, stakeholders and experts to address current challenges and future priorities for sport across Europe.

This high-level meeting provided ACES with an important opportunity to engage with ongoing European initiatives and to strengthen its commitment to promoting sport for all citizens, particularly in its role as Official Partner of the European Commission for the European Week of Sport.

The programme opened with institutional remarks from the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, followed by key contributions from Paola Ottonello, Team Leader of the Sport Unit at the European Commission, who outlined the main strategic directions of the Forum.

During the event, the ACES delegation — led by Events & Projects Manager Alessio Di Maio — held meetings with several prominent actors within the European sport ecosystem. Among them were Giorgio Guazzugli Marini, Laura Capranica, President of EAS – European Athlete as Student, and Anca-Maria Ionescu, Head of Service at the National Agency for Sport of Romania.

The delegation also engaged with organisations linked to outdoor sports, including the European Hiking Federation (ERA) and the European Mountaineering Association (EUMA).

The Forum concluded with a closing address by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, who highlighted the role of sport as a key driver of social cohesion and sustainable development in Europe.

More information: https://sport.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/events/eu-sport-forum-2026