Mpho Tutu van Furth, Graeme Reid, and Symmy Larrat are the first keynote speakers announced for the 2024 ILGA World Conference

On September, ILGA World announced Reverend and activist Mpho Tutu van Furth, UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Graeme Reid, and Brazil’s National Secretary for LGBTQIA+ Rights Symmy Larrat as the first keynote speakers for the 31st ILGA World Conference. More keynote speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The event will take place in Cape Town (South Africa) from November 11 to 15, 2024, hosted by local human rights organizations Iranti and Gender DynamiX.

Returning to Africa for the first time in 25 years, the 2024 ILGA World Conference will bring together hundreds of LGBTI human rights advocates, development experts, policymakers, experts on international human rights mechanisms, government representatives, researchers, journalists, funders, and allies from over 100 countries worldwide, responding in global solidarity to the current crackdown on rights.

"We are thrilled that our membership has chosen to bring our conference back to Africa," said ILGA World Co-Secretaries General Luz Elena Aranda and Tuisina Ymania Brown. "LGBTI activists across Africa and around the world are facing unprecedented pushback, driven by both global trends and region-specific challenges."

"Our conference will serve as a crucial moment for LGBTI human rights defenders from around the world to come together and forge strong and meaningful solidarities, not just within the LGBTI community but also alongside feminist, sexual and reproductive health, climate justice, and other vital movements. Together, we will work towards a more equitable and just future."

"We are excited to host our global movement in its return to Africa after such a long time", said Liberty Matthyse and Lentsu Nchabeleng, Executive Directors of Gender DynamiX and Iranti, respectively. "At a time when we see dangerous anti-rights discourses and narratives seeping into our regions from the Global North, hosting our global family will be a wonderful statement of unity and solidarity across borders."

Built by and for community members from around the world, the five-day conference program will bring participants together to address pressing issues affecting LGBTI people in all their diversity.

Mpho Tutu van Furth (minister and daughter of anti-apartheid leader Desmond Tutu) Graeme Reid, and Symmy Larrat will address conference participants during the plenary sessions. Other confirmed speakers include the Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Dr. Álvaro Bermejo, UK Black Pride Director General Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, CREA Executive Director Geeta Misra, and Director of the Afghan LGBT Organization (ALO) Artemis Akbary. More keynote speakers and panelists will be announced in the coming days.

A constellation of additional events will take place around the ILGA World Conference, including the inaugural ceremony of the International Pride Awards, a joint project of ILGA World and the UNDP, and a strategic summit for intersectional and inclusive democracies.

More than 800 people are expected to attend the 2024 ILGA World Conference. Registration remains open until October 11, 2024. More information is available at the ILGA World Conference website.