OSCE White Ribbon Award recognizes individual’s efforts in promoting gender equality

VIENNA, 28 November 2019 – OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger presented two members of permanent delegations representing their countries in the OSCE with a White Ribbon Award in recognition of their personal commitment and achievements in promoting gender equality.

In a ceremony at the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna Greminger awarded the white ribbons to Ambassador Alessandro Azzoni, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the OSCE, in recognition of his efforts in championing gender equality when Italy chaired the OSCE in 2018 and Colonel Hans Georg Lueber, former senior military adviser at the Permanent Delegation of Switzerland and former Forum for Security Co-operation’s Chair Coordinator for the Vienna Document. Colonel Lueber was nominated for his outstanding engagement in advocating for gender equality in the framework of the OSCE MenEngage Network

As he presented the ribbons, Secretary General Greminger praised the awardees for leading by example and demonstrating their strong dedication to gender equality. “You serve as an inspiration to all of us,” he said.

The White Ribbon Award was presented for the sixth time. The awardees were nominated by delegations to the OSCE and selected through the Selection Committee, which awarded diplomats and military attachés who went beyond the minimum standards and demonstrated exceptional efforts in promoting gender equality.