Joint statement on LGBTQI+/SOGIESC rights in the Pacific

The Governments of New Zealand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are committed to the realisation of human rights for all people. Both Governments champion equality and proudly promote equal rights for persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC[1]).

The Governments of New Zealand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are concerned that the climate crisis, natural disasters, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to exacerbate existing barriers that prevent communities of diverse SOGIESC from enjoying their full human rights, including equitable access to healthcare, employment, and personal safety. Persons of diverse SOGIESC face multiple and intersecting forms of violence, discrimination, criminalisation, and structural exclusion, which manifest as poor development outcomes for individuals as well as their countries and territories. 

To advance SOGIESC-related rights in the Pacific, New Zealand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, through the Embassy in Wellington, have both entered multi-year partnerships with the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN). As an important civil society organisation working on SOGIESC-related rights in the Pacific region, PSGDN works with members and affiliates to advance the well-being and prosperity of Pacific Islanders of diverse SOGIESC and advocates for SOGIESC-related rights in the Pacific and internationally. 

In partnering with PSGDN, both Governments acknowledge the challenges involved in protecting and advancing SOGIESC-related rights in the Pacific. This support will help strengthen the capacity and reach of PSGDN, empower Pacific Islanders of diverse SOGIESC to have a voice in decision-making, and help achieve meaningful change for those most affected.  

To mark International Coming Out Day, the Governments of New Zealand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are excited to announce this critical support for SOGIESC-related rights in the Pacific. This is a welcome opportunity to collaborate and demonstrate our Governments’ commitments to the inclusive well-being and the realisation of human rights for all people.

[1] SOGIESC is an umbrella term like Rainbow and LGBTQI+. Reference to people of diverse SOGIESC and SOGIESC-related rights is inclusive of all the terms and identities included in LGBTQIA+, which is widely known and understood internationally, and identities that are culturally specific for the Pacific region.

• New Zealand Netherlands Joint Statement [PDF 744 KB]