Intervention by Juan Pablo de Laiglesia, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Iberian-America and the Caribbean, on behalf of the LGBTI Core Group

July 12

 

Chairperson,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Member States of the LGBTI Core Group.

The LGBTI Core Group is an informal cross regional group established in 2008. The group is co-chaired by Argentina and The Netherlands, and includes Albania, Australia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, the European Union, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the non-governmental organizations Human Rights Watch and Outright Action International.

Chairperson,

The High Level Political Forum is the main United Nations platform for Member states, civil society and UN entities, to discuss progress and best practices in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, with the ultimate goal of “Leaving No One Behind”.  This principle can only be achieved if all relevant stakeholders offer support and opportunities for all, including LGBTI persons, without discrimination and without violence of any kind, in full respect of their human rights and dignity. 

The theme of this year, “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” and the SDGs under review (especially SDG 8, SDG10 and SDG16) are particularly relevant for LGBTI persons across the world. Therefore, resolute action is required to reduce inequalities within and among countries, to promote decent work for all, and to provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

The LGBTI Core Group is convinced that the achievement of the 2030 Agenda is intimately linked with the recognition of rights, opportunities, and the guarantee of non-discrimination and equality for all, including LGTBI communities, individuals, advocates and human rights defenders in general.

Chairperson,

In this respect, the LGBTI Core Group fully supports the mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This mandate enhances the opportunities offered by the 2030 Agenda and goes hand in hand with the broader aspirations of human rights, freedoms, democracy, and peaceful and inclusive societies.

Chairperson,

In order to fully achieve the Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals we must put an end to the multiple and intersecting forms of violence and discrimination faced by LGBTI persons. In that regard, we are committed to contribute to the HLPF discussion by highlighting the importance of implementing national policies based on full inclusion, especially for LGBTI persons across the globe, in order to give full meaning and achieve all the noble sustainable development goals.

I thank you.