vulnerabilities, including political repression, cultural erasure, gender-based violence, forced displacement, and denial of basic rights. Participants underscored that meaningful peace and transitional justice cannot be achieved without directly engaging minorities, recognizing their contributions, and addressing historical and ongoing injustices. Concerns were raised regarding the systemic exclusion minority communities across regions. Specific issues included arbitrary arrests, killings, forced displacement, restrictions on language and education, environmental degradation, and denial of political representation. Several interventions highlighted good practices and opportunities to amplify minority voices. UNICEF called for the engagement of children from minority communities in peacebuilding and transitional processes. Some Member States and civil society organizations shared examples of legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms aimed at inclusion, protection, and participatory governance. For instance, Mauritius highlighted reconciliation mechanisms and inclusive decision-making, while other countries noted constitutional protections for minorities. Civil society organizations presented grassroots initiatives, including monitoring mechanisms, participatory platforms, advocacy for inclusive policymaking, and documentation of human rights violations. Several Member States highlighted national measures and policies aimed at empowering minorities and ensuring their active participation in public life, peacebuilding, and transitional processes. Mauritania emphasized its commitment to national cohesion, diversity, and inclusive development through legal and policy frameworks, including the National Strategy for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, which enhances access to services, education, justice, and inclusive governance. Türkiye highlighted constitutional guarantees of equality and the rights of non-Muslim minorities under its Constitution and the Lausanne Peace Treaty, underlining ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive society, protect minorities from discrimination or hate, and ensure accountability, while also illustrating practical engagement in regional peace and protection initiatives. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of integrating minority perspectives into the design of peacebuilding frameworks and accountability mechanisms. Participants stressed that without the full inclusion of minority voices, peace and justice processes risk being incomplete, inequitable, and unsustainable. The session reinforced that amplifying minority voices is essential not only for protecting rights but also for fostering durable peace, social cohesion, and democratic governance. Concluding Remarks In his concluding remarks, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Prof. Nicolas Levrat, expressed his sincere appreciation for the active participation and engagement of all delegates, panellists, and civil society organizations during the 18th session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues. He highlighted the Forum’s continued role as a unique and essential space within the UN human rights system, emphasizing its open access, equal speaking opportunities for States and civil society, and non-hierarchical format that fosters inclusive dialogue. Prof. Levrat acknowledged that while improvements to the Forum’s format are always possible, the 11