I deliver this statement on behalf of the BENELUX countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and my own country the Netherlands. Mr. Madrigal-Borloz, we reiterate our full support to the renewal of your mandate and align ourselves with the EU statement. Our countries warmly welcome your report.

The BENELUX countries continue to be concerned about the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, often violent barriers, and structural drivers of exclusion that still stand in the way between LGBTIQ+ persons and the fulfillment of their full and equal enjoyment of their rights to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health.

We are committed to the elimination of all challenges and barriers that impede the full realization of these rights, whether in the context of general, mental or sexual and reproductive health, in close cooperation with all stakeholders. In that regard, the six steps that you’ve formulated as part of the ASPIRE guidelines present an opportunity to put them into practice in the framework of the SDGs. The promises of  “realizing the human rights of all” and “leaving no one behind” can only be fulfilled if everyone has access to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health, without exceptions. We therefore urge countries to engage with these guidelines.

Mr. Madrigal-Borloz, what are the main barriers to the adoption of an intersectional perspective on health inequalities based on one’s sexual orientation or gender identity in countries around the world?

Thank you