International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United Nations (UN) have signed an agreement to "contribute to a better and peaceful world through sport."

The deal, described as historic by the two organisations, sets out a number of areas where the two partners will look to set up and use sporting initiatives to promote social integration and economic development.

These include access to sport for disadvantaged and marginalised communities; quality physical education in schools; empowering of girls and women through sport; and building peace and dialogue between communities.

A new framework will be set up, within which the IOC - together with national olympic committees, international sports federations, organising committees and individual athletes - will work together with UN member states, UN special envoys, UN specialised agencies and UN funds.

Speaking at the announcement, IOC president Thomas Bach said: "Sport can change the world, but it cannot change the world alone.

"When placing sport at the service of humankind, we need and we want partnerships with other players in society. The Olympic Movement is willing and ready to make its contribution to the most laudable efforts of the United Nations to maintain and build peace and to bring along social change."

The IOC, which was granted UN Observer Status in 2009, has long enjoyed strong ties with individual UN agencies, working with them globally on a number of initiatives that use sport as a tool for development and peace.