(BEIJING, October 25) -- Jointly sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG,) The 7th World Conference on Sport and the Environment will open in Beijing on Thursday.

Taking place in the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games and with an audience of around 400, the meeting promises a mix of contributions from sports organizations, sponsors, NGOs, industry, government representatives and UN bodies, such as the UNEP, UNDP, WHO and the World Bank. With its motto "From Plan to Action" the conference aims to share experiences and explore actions to ensure a sustainable future.

Since 1994, the IOC has been embarking on the study of environmental issues in sport and since 1995 the World Conference on Sport and the Environment has been held once every two years to discuss relevant issues in the Olympic Games.

In the wake of its bid victory in 2001, Beijing formulated an Olympic Ecological Plan which the IOC has been following closely. At the conference, the UNEP is expected to release its assessment of Beijing's efforts to hold "Green Olympics" and its plans to work together with BOCOG.

IOC President Jacques Rogge is expected to attend the conference.