The Stop43 organisation, whose actions successfully contributed to the removal of controversial legislation for the commercialisation of Orphan Works, has invited Ed Vaizey, the UK's Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries to speak at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony next month.

"At a Stop43's meeting with Mr. Vaizey, he told us that he would like to give a speech on photography and asked us which event might make the best platform for it," says Stop43's co-founder Paul Ellis. "On learning that this year's WPO Awards were to be held in London, we naturally suggested this event and offered to introduce Mr. Vaizey's staff to the WPO Awards organisers. We are extremely pleased that the introduction has resulted in the presentation of the Minister's speech and very much look forward to hearing it."

The fifth annual Sony World Photography Awards ceremony and gala dinner takes place at the Park Lane Hilton in London on Thursday 26 April. "The evening is a celebration for the photography industry of the work of winning professional, amateur and young photographers from around the world," says Stop43.

The speech comes as new copyright legislation is expected to be introduced to the UK next year. Stop43 predicts that the proposed law will directly affect photography.

BJP will be attending the ceremony and will report on Vaizey's speech live.