Position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
19 January 2022 News
Regarding media reports that Bulgaria has supported "controversial gender concepts" in a UN resolution, we state that with instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of November 2021, during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly the Republic of Bulgaria has supported the adoption of the "Strengthening the role of the UN in promoting periodic and fair elections and strengthening of democratization" resolution. The resolution was tabled by the United States and supported by all EU Member States. The focus of the resolution is on the UN's contribution to free and fair elections and the strengthening of democracy by reducing discrimination in the electoral process. In the overall context of the resolution, it is only a matter of non-discrimination on grounds such as sex, sexual orientation, age, social status, ethnic origin, race, religion, etc. in holding free and fair elections and strengthening democracy.
Within the framework of the resolution there is no reference to the definition of gender identity from the so-called Istanbul Convention and accordingly no objection has been made by the Bulgarian side.