Minorities. While progress has been made, we have to concede that many challenges remain and violations of the rights of persons belonging to minorities still occur and take multiple forms. In many countries we can see the influence of the Declaration in constitutions, legislation and guidelines for the protection of minority rights. It has inspired many initiatives that build upon the fundamental rights and principles that it contains - equality, nondiscrimination, participation, consultation, the richness and positive contribution of diversity to our societies. However there is still a lot of work required from all stakeholders, including States and members of minority groups themselves, for the promises and potential contained in the Declaration to become a reality for all. I emphasise the fact that the twin principles of equality and non-discrimination, which are the foundation upon which the whole international human rights system is built, are equally the grounds on which the Council has been established and continues to build its work on. The Human Rights Council has recognised the importance of consistently addressing minority issues through the creation of strong mechanisms such as the mandate of the Independent Expert on minority issues and the Forum on Minority Issues. The Forum has established itself as the foremost international platform for dialogue among all stakeholders from within and outside the UN system on the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities. It has enabled to hear the voice of minorities from all over the world and has been an essential opportunity for sharing best practices and promoting mutual understanding of minority issues, as envisaged in the Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 that established the Forum and resolution 19/23 of March 2012 that renewed it. The Forum has demonstrated its potential in providing valuable guidance to the international community, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other human rights actors at international and regional levels. It has also provided tools and resources to Governments, political actors, minority groups and civil society in their efforts to promote equality and respect for diversity where they are needed most, at the national and local level. For these reasons, I welcome the high level of interest and participation in all sessions of this Forum to date.