Mister Chair, Distinguished delegates and participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for me to open this seventh session of the Forum on Minority Issues on “Preventing and addressing violence and atrocity crimes targeted against minorities”. Firstly, I would like to warmly welcome and congratulate Mr. Patrick Thornberry, who has kindly accepted the important task of chairing this session of the Forum. Your vast experience on the issues to be discussed and your expert guidance will undoubtedly contribute to making this Forum a success. I also send my greetings to Ms. Rita Izsák, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, who is mandated by the Human Rights Council to guide the work of this Forum and to prepare its annual sessions. While she will be unable to join us in person at this session, I wish to acknowledge her important leadership in ensuring that this Forum addresses some of the key challenges and issues affecting minorities globally today. I would also like to welcome representatives of Member States, United Nations specialized agencies, representatives of human rights mechanisms and bodies, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations, academics and experts. One of the main objectives of this Forum is to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to minorities. The Forum is an open space where all stakeholders involved in the promotion and the protection of the rights of minorities in all regions can meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences. I am particularly pleased to see that this Forum has been successful in bringing together hundreds of minorities from all over the world who have travelled to Geneva to share their personal experiences and engage in a constructive dialogue. I would therefore like to extend a special welcome to all representatives from minority groups who are here today and who will contribute constructively and substantively to the Forum’s discussions. Ensuring protection of vulnerable communities, combating discrimination wherever it exists and promoting equality in all fields of life are key objectives of international human rights law and standards and among the primary objectives of the work of the Human Rights Council. The Council