Press attendance
Members of the media wishing to attend the Plenary opening on 5 August or a specific session can apply for press accreditation via this form.  Accreditation deadline: Wednesday, 29 July. Please check the general press page for further info. 

2026 International Pride Awards honour five LGBTQIA+ equality champions at WorldPride Conference Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 5 August 2026 – Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World honoured five outstanding ‘Equality Champions’ with the International Pride Awards, during a special ceremony at the WorldPride Human Rights
Conference in Amsterdam. The 2026 International Pride Awards celebrate individuals and organisations whose courage, leadership and commitment are advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people around the world.

The awardees are South African deputy minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the human rights organisation COC Nederland, long-standing activist Marcela Dimonty from Chile, Ugandan trans pastor Aggie Dennett Harmon, and the disability rights advocate and LGBTIQ+ ally Dr Satendra Singh from India.

Selected by an Awards Committee of experienced LGBTIQ+ campaigners, advocates and human rights leaders following nominations from across the globe, this years recipients demonstrate the many ways people are building progress – from strengthening grassroots
movements and transforming healthcare to preserving community history and expanding political representation.

Eligible award recipients from low- and middle-income countries will each receive a US$10,000 grant to support their ongoing work and impact.

 

PRESS RELEASE
Amsterdam, 1 July 2026

WorldPride Human Rights Conference 2026 program announced

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten to open conference, with dozens of sessions addressing major global issues

United in the fight for equal rights. That is what the WorldPride Human Rights Conference is all about. For three days, the Beurs van Berlage will be at the heart of a gathering of hundreds of activists, policymakers, politicians and academics. Together, they will discuss global trends, exchange experiences and share inspiration. What does the future hold for the LGBTQIA+ community, and what can individuals do to continue making a difference? The program features more than 70 sessions, panel discussions and debates with participants from every continent.

The three-day WorldPride Human Rights Conference 2026 will open on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, with a spectacular morning program featuring inspiring speakers, spectacular performances and groundbreaking conversations. Charismatically guided by hosts Envy Peru, Lady Phyll and Camiel Welling, the conference will open with inspiring contributions from Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, Michael O'Flaherty (Ireland, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe), Tamara Adrián (Venezuela) and Nayyab Ali (Pakistan). Adrián and Ali are two powerful and long-standing activists who will speak about the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in Latin America and Pakistan, respectively. A number of LGBTQIA+ athletes will also share their personal stories about coming out, self-acceptance and the challenges of being openly queer in competitive sport.

New generations will also play a prominent role.

Five youth delegates from Model United Nations will present their priorities to a panel of leading international figures, including representatives from the UN (Graeme Reid), ILGA World (Julia Ehrt) and the South African government (Steve Letsike).

With more than 70 breakout sessions, the conference will explore key issues in depth. The program is
divided into eight major themes and has been developed by a national and international advisory board:

• Rights & Governance: The legal fight for protection and equality.
• Health & Wellbeing: A focus on bodily autonomy and mental health without stigma.
• Heritage & Culture: The art and history that connect us, with particular attention to the Global South and East.
• Resources & Leadership: How can we break down economic exclusion and foster entrepreneurship?
• Political Leadership: The need for political will to enshrine rights in law.
• InterPride & Pride Connections: Networking and inspiration for Pride organizers worldwide.
• Religion & Spirituality: Dialogue about inclusion within religious traditions.
• Workplace Pride: How inclusive leadership creates resilience and innovation in the workplace.

The full program is available here.

Scholarship Program
The conference is for everyone, but the organizers recognize that attending is not equally accessible
to activists from every region. Through the WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 Scholarship Program, more
than 150 activists will receive support with travel and accommodation costs. In doing so, the organization is ensuring that the voices most urgently needed in these conversations are genuinely represented at the table.

About the conference
The Human Rights Conference 2026 takes place during WorldPride Amsterdam and brings together
hundreds of global leaders, activists, policymakers and young changemakers to help shape the future of LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion. The event plays a crucial role in collectively addressing structural inequalities, advocating for political, physical and legal protection, and celebrating the diversity of human identity. In a world where LGBTQIA+  discrimination continues to exist, the conference aims to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, foster inclusive dialogue and drive tangible change. By sharing stories, ideas and best practices, we aim to break down barriers and help ensure that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can live with dignity, safety and freedom.

The conference not only marks 25 years of marriage equality in the Netherlands but also highlights
the significance of Pride Amsterdam through a UNESCO World Heritage nomination.

 

Learn more about the advisory board and international sounding board .