Gay McDougall Opening Remarks Mr. President Madam Chairperson, High Commissioner, Excellencies, Distinguished colleagues and experts, Representatives of civil society, Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby call to order the first meeting of the 3rd session of the Forum on Minority Issues. It is a pleasure to welcome you all, some familiar faces and many new participants, to the third annual session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues. I would like to thank, in particular, H.E. Ambassador Sihasak Phuangketkeow, President of the Human Rights Council and Ms. Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights for their presence here today. At the outset, I would also like to thank Prof. Gita Sen, the Chair for this year’s session. The aims and objectives of this annual and unique Forum were established in Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, which established the Forum to: 1. provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities; 2. provide thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the Independent Expert on minority issues; 3. identify and analyze best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Minorities; 4. produce thematic recommendations to be reported to the Human Rights Council; and 5. contribute to efforts to improve cooperation among UN mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes on activities related to the promotion and 1|Page