Three-day UK dialogue emphasizes female empowerment, inclusion, and systemic reform across the Global South.
WEST SUSSEX, England, Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- International leaders spanning government, policy, development, and sport convened at Wilton Park for a three-day dialogue hosted with Qatar Foundation (QF), calling for a global coalition to turn sport's potential to support social development into practical action.
Held under the theme 'Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility', the event focused on removing structural barriers to sporting opportunity for women and girls, building on UN Resolution 59/17, initiated by Qatar with Indonesia and Morocco and co-sponsored by 71 nations. Wilton Park and QF will now jointly develop an actionable roadmap for action in policy, coaching, and infrastructure.
Speaking at the dialogue, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, urged action that goes beyond basic parity, saying: "The barriers girls face are fundamentally different. "Our approach is to close that gap in practice, not just in principle: involving women in the design of facilities, providing coaching tailored to women's needs, and building the scientific research base that, too often, doesn't exist for women's and girls' sport."
His Excellency Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, told the dialogue that sport "changes how a girl is seen by her family and community, and how she sees herself", saying: "A girl who plays on a team learns to lead, to fail and try again in public — and that confidence follows her into the classroom, workplace, and civic life."
Participants in the dialogue included Olympism365, Special Olympics, Laureus Sport for Good, NBA Africa, FIVB, and Olympic athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Ibtihaj Muhammad.
QF continues to advance inclusive sport, with over 70,000 female participants participating in tailored sporting activities at the Education City Stadium in the past two years, and its Circle In initiative supporting sport-for-development projects in 10 countries.
About Qatar Foundation
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization driving education, research, and community development. Founded in 1995, QF operates an interconnected ecosystem at Education City in Doha, Qatar, empowering individuals and driving positive social change. Visit www.qf.org.qa.
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Qatar Foundation - Wilton Park Dialogue Calls for Global Action to Drive Social Development Through Sport
Qatar Foundation - Wilton Park Dialogue Calls for Global Action to Drive Social Development Through Sport
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Insta360 officially opened its first flagship retail store outside of Asia on Saturday, September 19, 2026, occupying a prime location at 1515 Broadway in New York's Times Square. The store opening marks a major milestone in the global imaging brand's international expansion, underscoring its maturity, scale, and long-term commitment to supporting the U.S. market.
The New York flagship arrives as Insta360 surpasses 10 million cameras shipped worldwide, signaling a new stage of global brand momentum and strong leadership in the camera market. According to IDC, Insta360 ranked No.1 in the global 360° camera market, maintaining a significant lead over competitors with a shipment share of nearly 70% in Q1 this year.
The launch is also part of a broader physical retail strategy that includes a flagship store opened in Tokyo in August, dozens of authorized stores across Asia, and planned European expansion into cities such as Munich.
Establishing a Permanent Footprint in a Priority Market
Insta360 has cultivated strong momentum in the United States since entering the market in 2016, establishing clear category leadership in 360º Cameras*†. Opening an owned flagship in Times Square demonstrates confidence in future North American growth and a desire to build deeper, lasting connections within the U.S. creator ecosystem.
"Reaching 10 million cameras shipped worldwide is a milestone we owe to our community, but opening in Times Square is about building lasting roots," said Max Richter, Co-founder and VP of Marketing at Insta360. "This store opening is about more than just selling into the U.S.; it reflects our long-term commitment to the American creator ecosystem. We look forward to continuing our support for local creators, connecting directly with everyday users, and making innovative imaging tech approachable for anyone with a story to tell."
Democratizing Creativity from Online Awareness to Offline Experience
While Insta360 originally built global awareness through viral social media content and digital channels, the Times Square flagship introduces a permanent physical touchpoint designed to make creative technology accessible to everyone. The store serves as an experience center, offering hands-on product trials, in-person education, technical support, and community space.
By letting visitors test 360, action, gimbal, and wearable cameras in person, the store bridges the gap between online visibility and real-world understanding—helping consumers move from recognizing viral videos to learning how the technology works and capturing their own everyday moments.
"We are thrilled to welcome an innovative, industry-leading brand like Insta360 to the Crossroads of the World," said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance. "Times Square has always been a global stage for creativity, culture, and cutting-edge technology, making it the perfect home for Insta360's flagship store and a fantastic addition to our dynamic retail landscape."
Grand Opening Highlights
The grand opening at 1515 Broadway featured a day of immersive brand experiences and celebration dedicated to Insta360's growing New York City community. Insta360 Co-founder and VP of Marketing Max Richter led the official ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside renowned filmmaker Casey Neistat. A longtime user of Insta360 technology, Neistat's participation underscores the brand's deep-rooted connection to the professional creator community. The event also featured YouTubers Jesse Wellens and Jeana Smith—both veteran advocates of the brand—who served as honorary store managers, providing hands-on product walkthroughs and engaging directly with local users.
In a nod to Insta360's action-first spirit, the brand also hosted a "Ride Bold" rally, a cycling event that sent 100 riders past iconic New York landmarks to capture the city using Insta360 hardware. The opening attracted long lines of customers waiting outside the store for hours for a chance to explore interactive camera demos, enjoy exclusive opening-day giveaways, and interact with honorary store managers.
*Source: Circana, LLC, Retail Tracking Service, US, Camcorders by Brand, 360 Degrees Capable, Dollar & Unit Sales, Jan 2020 - Feb 2025 Combined
†360° Camera is defined by Circana as camcorders with video and 360-degree view capability.
About Insta360
With a "Think bold" mindset, Insta360 empowers people to capture and share their lives in extraordinary ways. Recognized as a market leader and innovator, Insta360's vast lineup includes the world's best-selling 360 cameras in the X Series, the thumb-sized GO Series for everyday capture, as well as an extensive range of action cameras, gimbals, webcams, and professional photography solutions. With intuitive, AI-powered software, Insta360 simplifies the creative process, allowing users to focus on storytelling without technical barriers. Insta360 is dedicated to helping a new generation of athletes, creatives, travelers and professionals bring their ideas to life.
For more details, visit: http://www.insta360.com
About the Think Bold Fund: https://www.insta360.com/ThinkBoldFund
Read our blog: https://www.insta360.com/blog
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Insta360
Follow us on X: https://x.com/insta360
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Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insta360
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/insta360
Insta360 Global Awards 2026 Supported by Leica: https://www.insta360.com/awards/about
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Insta360 Opens First Flagship Store Outside Asia In New York's Times Square Amid Global Retail Expansion
Insta360 Opens First Flagship Store Outside Asia In New York's Times Square Amid Global Retail Expansion
