On the occasion of the Sydney WorldPride 2023, the first-ever WorldPride held in the southern hemisphere, which also marks the 45th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the European Union and its Member States reiterate and highlight the importance for equal rights and opportunities.

Equality, non-discrimination and inclusion are core values and fundamental rights for the EU and, as such, they are enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union and in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Human rights are inherent to all human beings, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and other characteristics. LGBTIQ+ rights are of utmost importance at the heart of our shared values for both the EU and Australia. Diversity, which is part of our collective richness, should be celebrated everywhere without risk of discrimination, exclusion or violence.

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EU Ambassador to Australia Mr Gabriele Visentin will be moderating a panel on 3 March at the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference on What is a Special Envoy and why do we all need one?

Panellists are:

• Jessica Stern (she/her/they/them/he/him), U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, U.S. Department of State
• Alba Rueda (she/her), Special Envoy LGBTIQ for Argentina
• Nick Herbert (Lord Herbert of South Downs), UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on LGBT+ Rights
• Louisa Wall (she/her/ia), Ambassador for Gender Equality (Pacific)/Tuia Tāngata, Tuwharetoa, Hineuru and Waikato
• Fabrizio Petri (he/him), Special Envoy for Human Rights of LGBTIQ+ Persons, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation

Find out more about the Human Rights Conference here.