Osservatorio Nazionale sulle Minoranze Thank you Madame Chair. Madame Chair, your excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. The Ladin community of the Dolomites, represented by the National Observatory on Minorities, expresses its sincere gratitude to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the invitation to this 18th Forum on Minority Issues. It is an honor to speak here in Geneva, a place that symbolizes dialogue, peace, and cooperation among people. At a time when many cultural identities face growing risks of marginalization, it is essential to recognize the contribution of communities, such as the Ladin people, that preserve ancient traditions and uphold strong ethical values. Our culture, rooted in the Dolomites and shaped by centuries of history, has le arned to coexist with diversity, to engage respectfully with our territory, and to promote our language and values with dignity, guided by the principle “the rights of others are my duty”. We drew inspiration from the United Nations’ commitment to solidarity, justice, and spiritual dignity. We reaffirm that protecting minorities is a shared responsibility, one that requires building bridges mutual respect, and advancing together in accordance with the Human Rights Council Resolution 615 and 1923, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. This principle also echoes United Nations Resolution 47135, whose Articles 1 and 2 are engraved in the first bronze bell dedicated to peace and minorities in the world, commissioned in 2016 by the community of [inaudible]. We extend our appreciation to the National Observatory on Minorities [CUT OFF BY CHAIR].