Danish Parliament plays host to Interparliamentary Plenary Assembly

As part of the Copenhagen 2021 Human Rights Forum, parliamentarians and elected officials from across the world joined the Interparliamentary Plenary Assembly, hosted by the Danish Parliament at the Christiansborg Palace on 20 August.

The event was organised by Copenhagen 2021 in partnership with the Global Equality Caucus, Victory Institute, Parliamentarians for Global Action, and the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights.

Nearly 100 parliamentarians attended the event in person, while those unable to attend physically joined the assembly online.

Delegates heard stories, messages and speeches from politicians representing all corners of the world, with a particular focus on the challenges that persist for LGBT+ people in many countries and what legislators could be doing to help.

Delegates were also able to attend breakout sessions hosted by the IPA's executive partners, with interactive dialogues on the topics of legislating for inclusive health coverage, LBT women in politics, and the role of legislative reform in securing decriminalisation & equal rights.

Chair of the Global Equality Caucus, Nick Herbert (UK) - alongside Caucus co-founders Rep. Mark Takano (US), Rep. Robeyoncé Lima (Pernambuco, Brazil), and Louisa Wall MP (NZ) - also participated in a plenary panel discussion on the role of parliamentarians in promoting human rights and LGBT+ inclusion globally.

Launched at the IPA was the Øresund Declaration, which forms part of the legacy of Copenhagen 2021. Parliamentarians are encouraged to read and sign the declaration, which is available here. All signatories sign for themselves and/or their organisation, and by their signature they express an obligation to advance the ambitions stated in the Declaration in the course of their work.