OSCE White Ribbon Ceremony recognizes individuals’ efforts in promoting gender equality

Six members of participating States’  delegations to the OSCE were presented with the White Ribbon Award by OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, in recognition of their personal commitment and achievements in promoting gender equality. The award ceremony took place at the Hofburg Congress Centre on 22 November 2018 in Vienna.

Secretary General Greminger awarded white ribbons to Ambassador Ulrika Funered of Sweden; Ambassador Alena Kupchyna of Belarus; Ambassador Victoria Gonzalez Román of Spain; Ambassador Claude Wilde of Switzerland; Jürgen Heissel of the Austrian Delegation and Commander Graham Townsend of the United Kingdom.  

As he presented the ribbons, the Secretary General praised the recipients 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 Awards were presented for the fifth time this year. The recipients were nominated by permanent delegations to the OSCE and chosen by a selection committee. The award recognizes the work of diplomats and military attachés who went beyond the minimum standards and demonstrated exceptional efforts in promoting gender equality.