Malta has hosted this year's edition of the European IDAHOT+ Forum, one of Europe's leading platforms dedicated to advancing LGBTIQ+ rights, equality, and inclusion.

Focusing on "Advancing SOGIGESC Equality and Inclusion in a Transforming Europe," the Forum aimed to confront the ongoing forces of violence and discrimination that threaten the safety and dignity of LGBTIQ+ individuals.

Delivering a speech, Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted Malta's progress in advancing equality over the past decade, stating, "We have managed to make significant strides forward towards achieving equality for all. We have given people long-overdue rights to be who they want to be and to love whoever they want to, without any restrictions. As a country, we wanted to send a clear message, that being yourself is not a crime."

While celebrating Malta's progress, the Prime Minister also recognised that sustaining equality requires continued national effort. He reaffirmed the government's steadfast commitment in this regard, stating that Malta will continue to show its unwavering support as it strives to remain a beacon of equality for all.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms, Rebecca Buttigieg, noted that the presence of government representatives at this Forum sends a strong and united message of solidarity in support of fundamental human rights for LGBTIQ+ communities.

She emphasised that the principles of equality, dignity, and inclusion must remain guiding values for both governments and society at large. Parliamentary Secretary Buttigieg stated that with strong political will, Malta has achieved significant progress in advancing civil rights.

This sustained commitment has placed Malta at the top of ILGA-Europe's Equality Index for ten consecutive years, among 49 European countries. She also expressed concern over the erosion of such rights in some countries, adding that it is essential to safeguard and protect the hard-won progress achieved to date, while warning against regressive attitudes that risk undermining human rights and equality.

The Forum called for deeper collaboration and unified action, striving toward a Europe where equality is not only pursued, but genuinely realised.