The central goal of the Esports for Development (E4D) movement is to further the sport's contribution to meeting with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"Coinciding with the International Day of Peace - during the United Nations Global Week to #Act4SDGs - our 7th GEF Board meeting highlighted our strong commitment and intent on contributing to important issues for our community, people, and the planet," said Chris Chan, the President of the GEF.

"We are honoured and proud to team up with Professor Muhammad Yunus and the Yunus Sports Hub in this journey."

The partnership will see both organisations provide a platform to identify, build capacity and advance development of sustainable initiatives based on the social business model that was created by 2006 Peace Nobel Laureate and Olympic Laurel awardee Muhammad Yunus.

Istanbul is set to act as host to the beginning of this united effort when the Turkish city stages the Global Esports Games in December.

"Now is the time to structure the E4D movement," said Yoan Noguier, the co-founder and managing director of Yunus Sports Hub.

"Not separately from the esports industry but using the core of its innovative business practices and mechanisms to make E4D financially self-sustainable.

"Social business should play an essential role in this process.

"We are very excited to join forces with the Global Esports Federation and together, build this framework."