La Coalición por la Igualdad de Derechos (ERC, por sus siglas en inglés) se reunirá en Buenos Aires los días 8 y 9 de septiembre de 2022 para acordar una acción conjunta sobre los problemas urgentes a los que se enfrentan las personas LGBTI+ en todo el mundo. Será una oportunidad única para que los gobiernos y los defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos de base trabajen de forma conjunta y compartan las mejores prácticas.

Esta reunión tiene lugar en un momento crucial, ya que cada vez hay más muestras de movimientos que socavan las libertades y los derechos humanos de las personas LGBTI+.

Los cuatro grupos temáticos de la ERC sesionarán para abordar cuestiones de actualidad. Estas incluirán debates sobre el desarrollo de leyes y políticas nacionales inclusivas, los avances de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, el apoyo a la respuesta de la sociedad civil frente al movimiento global anti-género, y el mapeo del progreso hacia la despenalización en todo el mundo.

Los actuales copresidentes de la Coalición por la Igualdad de Derechos, la Argentina y el Reino Unido, también presentarán un informe de seguimiento de los avances de la Estrategia y el Plan de Implementación Quinquenal de la ERC, publicados en julio de 2021.

Alemania y México asumirán sus funciones como nuevos copresidentes de la ERC durante la ceremonia de clausura de la conferencia el viernes 9 de septiembre. La ERC se comprometerá asimismo a reforzar la participación de los miembros de la Coalición y a potenciar una mayor representación del Sur Global. Alemania y México también contarán con copresidentes de la sociedad civil y con el apoyo de una nueva Unidad Administrativa, financiada por los Estados miembros.

El Enviado Especial del Primer Ministro del Reino Unido para los Derechos LGBT+, Nick Herbert (Lord Herbert of South Downs), dijo:

El Reino Unido defiende la libertad, y eso significa libertad para todos. Estamos orgullosos del trabajo de la Coalición por la Igualdad de Derechos para defender estas libertades, pero es necesario hacer más, en todas partes del mundo, para lograr nuestros objetivos. Estamos listos para apoyar a Alemania y México en su papel de próximos copresidentes de la ERC. Juntos podemos enviar el claro mensaje de que los derechos LGBTI+ son derechos humanos.

La Representante Especial de la Argentina sobre Orientación Sexual e Identidad de Género, Alba Rueda, dijo:

Argentina es un país fuerte en derechos humanos y diversidad. Éste es el resultado del movimiento social y político de lesbianas, gays, travestis, trans, no binaries, y todos los activismos que se corren del sistema patriarcal y binario. Valoramos la ERC en esa misma línea: como un espacio en el que las organizaciones sociales puedan expresarse para que los Estados puedan escucharlas y comprometerse para convertir sus demandas en políticas públicas.

La Conferencia de la ERC de este año tiene lugar luego de las convocatorias anteriores en Montevideo en 2016, Vancouver en 2018 y un evento virtual en 2021. Debido a la pandemia de COVID-19, el Reino Unido y la Argentina han mantenido un mandato extendido como copresidentes desde 2019.

Las organizaciones de la sociedad civil desempeñan un papel fundamental en la Coalición por la Igualdad de Derechos. Los actuales copresidentes de la sociedad civil – Asociación Familias Diversas Argentina, Kaleidoscope Trust y Stonewall – apoyan a más de 140 grupos de todo el mundo. El Reino Unido, la Argentina, México, los Estados Unidos, Canadá, los Países Bajos y Bélgica han financiado parte de la participación presencial en la conferencia de este año para las organizaciones de la sociedad civil y los defensores de los derechos humanos del Sur Global.

En julio de 2021, la ERC acordó un Plan Estratégico y un Plan de Implementación Quinquenal para ayudar a guiar y dinamizar el trabajo del grupo y garantizar que la organización pueda estar a la altura de su enorme potencial. El informe previo a la conferencia destacó este proceso de priorización como un “importante logro” del mandato de la Argentina y el Reino Unido como copresidentes.

The 24th Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Defence and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), has concluded today.

Bringing together representatives from governments across the world, the annual conference enables crucial conversations on the demilitarisation of chemical weapons.

99% of declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed and the conference brings together global experts to discuss progress, share experiences and lessons, and to co-operate in eradicating existing chemical weapons and addressing outstanding challenges.

Delivering the keynote speech of the conference, Baroness Goldie condemned Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, recognising the continued threats around the use and retention of chemical weapons, and the need to hold those responsible to account.

Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie, said:

As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention, it is right to acknowledge the major achievements in that time. However, as recent events have shown, the threat of chemical weapons remains very real, and we must not become complacent.

As we embark on the next 25 years of the Chemical Weapons Convention, we must continue with energy and passion to work together to do all we can to uphold it.

On the progress being made with the Chemistry and Technology Centre and the work of Conference Ambassador and Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fernando Arias, Baroness Goldie added:

The work being led so resolutely by the Director General is nothing short of impressive. From the Verification Regime to the Global Partnership Agenda, we must be proud of these collective achievements.

I am equally pleased with the progress of the Chemistry and Technology Centre, which will enhance the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ technical and scientific capacity and improve facilities for training; the UK has contributed almost £900k to the construction of the Centre and remains willing to provide expert technical support.

A wide range of topics were covered, with sessions focused on emerging risks and potential solutions to combat chemical weapon threats, as well as new disposal systems and neutralisation methods.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Director General, Fernando Arias said:

Current global events underscore that preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons is an agenda that will always remain open after the end of the period of destruction.

For the sake of future generations, it is our responsibility to build on the gains already accomplished under the resilient multilateral framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention. And in the interest of humankind, it is our further responsibility to strengthen the ban that has proven so robust for so long.

The Minister also acknowledged and applauded the crucial work of scientific, technical and policy experts that strive to make the world safe from chemical weapons.

As joint hosts of the conference, Dstl plays a lead role in support of global demilitarisation and has an ongoing programme disposing of current and historic chemical weapons.

Dstl Chief Executive, Paul Hollinshead said:

Over the years with combined international efforts and investment in science and technology we have provided the solutions to allow the safe destruction of stockpiles. I’m immensely proud of the role of our world-class experts in Dstl, the Ministry of Defence, and our international partners are playing to create a safer future free from chemical weapons.

The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997, banning chemical weapons, and requiring states parties to destroy any existing stockpiles. In 1998 the first Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation conference was held, and this has continued to be hosted annually by the MOD and Dstl.

The Convention requires global cooperation to affect lasting change, as highlighted by chemical weapon attacks including in Russia on Mr. Alexey Navalny in 2020, in Salisbury in the UK in 2018, and the numerous chemical weapon attacks by the Assad regime in Syria.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs, the Honourable Ms. Deborah Rosenblum said:

I congratulate the conference organizers and participants for coming together at such a critical time globally. The threats posed by chemical weapons continue to grow and the norms against use continue to atrophy. We must come together to reverse this trend.

The Chancellor has asked the Cabinet Secretary to begin the recruitment process for a new Permanent Secretary to the Treasury to succeed Tom Scholar, who has left his post as Permanent Secretary after 6 years, and will leave the Civil Service after 30 years of dedicated service.

During his time in the Civil Service, Tom has advised successive Prime Ministers and Chancellors on international and economic issues, served as the UK representative at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, played a leading role in dealing with the banking crisis of 2007 to 2009, and led the Treasury through the Covid pandemic.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, said:

“Tom has been a dedicated and exceptional civil servant and I thank him for his exemplary service to the Government and the country for the past 30 years.

“He’s helped steer the Treasury and the Government through many economic challenges, from the financial crisis to the Covid pandemic, and he leaves the Civil Service with the highest distinction.”

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, said:

“Both personally, and on behalf of the whole civil service, I would like to thank Tom for his remarkable public service and leadership.

“Tom has been a steadfast and loyal colleague to so many of us – and we will be forever grateful for his wise advice, generosity, humour and decency.”

Tom Scholar said:

“The Chancellor decided it was time for new leadership at the Treasury, and so I will be leaving with immediate effect.

“It has been the privilege of my career to lead this great institution since 2016. I wish the Treasury all the best for the times ahead, and I will be cheering on from the sidelines.”

A successor will be appointed shortly. In the interim, Beth Russell (Director General Tax and Welfare) and Cat Little (Director General, Public Spending) will lead the department as Acting Permanent Secretaries.

Around 170 stakeholders learned of the progress being made in decommissioning and cleaning up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites.

The event, which welcomed representatives from the communities around the NDA’s 17 sites, saw £528,000 funding announced to support the creation of three new Post-Doctoral Research Bursaries with the Universities of Strathclyde, Lancaster and Keele.

The bursaries will offer academic researchers, who have completed their PhDs, the opportunity to develop their research career in some of the NDA’s key focus areas of Sustainability, the Environment, Engagement and the Management of Risk.

While providing the researchers an important career steppingstone, the bursaries will also allow the NDA to work with new academic talent and fresh thinking regarding the approach to mission delivery.

David Peattie, NDA group CEO, said:

“I’m delighted to announce three new research bursaries in recognition of the contribution and difference individuals can make in our organisation.

“We hold research and learning very close to our hearts, evidenced by the fact we’ve invested £6.2m supporting more than 50 postgraduate researchers across the UK in the last 5 years.

“Our work with academic institutions to support postgraduates with bursaries, is hugely important in progressing our mission and helping to create the subject matter experts we will need in the future to clean up our sites.”

The summit, held on 7 and 8 September, welcomed a Scottish Minister for the first time with Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment and Land Reform, who discussed the Scottish Government’s priorities and the importance of partnership working.

She said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the safe, secure and responsible clean-up of nuclear sites, with care for people and the environment.

“Partnership working and engagement are critical to the successful management of Scotland’s nuclear legacy.

“I’m grateful for the close working relationship the Scottish Government has with the NDA as well as the range of other organisations and communities associated with nuclear sites in our region.

“I am especially aware of the contribution decommissioning work continues to make to local communities and economies around our sites in Scotland.”

Via stakeholder feedback from Strategy 4 and regular surveys, NDA was asked to broaden its engagement to include more young people and also pressure groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to allow greater inclusivity of viewpoints, and challenge.

The NDA/NGO forum agreement was signed at the Summit and underpins the NDA’s commitment to openness and transparency, by encouraging wider scrutiny of NDA activities.