active participants in their own development and as rights-holders, thereby placing “we the people” at the centre of the development process. Complementing the HRBA, in 2014 UNDP has adopted Social and Environmental Standards, essentially a quality assurance mechanism at the planning stages of all our programming to ensure that all our interventions are protective of the environment and of people, the most vulnerable and marginalized minorities in particular. Human Rights are thus at the heart of these Environmental and Social Standards which will become operational as of January 01st 2015. Human Rights are at the cornerstone of our new Strategic Plan. Excellencies, As recognized by the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Ms. Rita Izsak alongside efforts to address discrimination and ensure the realization of minority rights - good and inclusive governance are vital factors in preventing conflict, violence and atrocities against minorities. While violence can occur in any country, those in which there is a functioning democracy, good governance and the rule of