respond to the world's many changes and challenges, including the impact of social media and the rise of hate speech and incitement to violence. He continued affirming that for minorities, such an instrument elaborated with their equal participation would give a chance to engage with the United Nations and States, not only as victims of Human Rights violations but as responsible agents in the making of norms that govern their lives. He called the United Nations Secretary-General who should commit a HighLevel Panel to assess the inadequacies and suggest concrete ways forward on minority rights treaty. The Special Rapporteur followed emphasizing that to have a dialogue and to have constructive conditions requires a permanent forum rather than only a two-day Forum, which would alternate between New York and Geneva, together regional forums. He recalled the need of the financial support to assure greater accessibility for minorities from all parts of the world, not mainly from the western part of the world which probably face less obstacles. He stressed that in terms of substantive rights, the gaps that need to be addressed in the future include citizenship rights without discrimination; economic rights including land; and a focus on sustainable and inclusive development of minority regions while protecting the natural environment. He recalled that the right to participation in policymaking and in decision-making need to reflect the existing state practice with regard to norms of autonomy as well as the rights of religious minorities needs to be addressed and recognized for the future. He reminded another issue that came up during the forum was the urgent need to mainstream in the United Nations, the structures and activities specifically to those of marginalized minorities and the section within these minorities which are particularly vulnerable to abuse such as in the case of the intersection of the rights of women and disabled within those minority communities. He also indicated that there should be a U.N. international year or decade for minorities and a need to have a year or decade to mark minority issues. The Special Rapporteur highlighted that the recommendations made during the forum will be published in the webpage of his mandate and summarized in the report of the Chairperson and his own recommendations will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council in March of next year. He recalled at the last minute numerous individuals were not able to come to Geneva to participate in the Forum because of measures or checks imposed by the pandemic. He also paid tribute to the minority human rights defenders who continue to struggle for the respect and protection of minority rights despite the many challenges they face acting as bridges between communities and trying to foster dialogue and build trust. He emphasized that dialogue is needed more than ever in today's world and in the U.N.´s spaces, such as the one of the Forum, which provides a key opportunity for dialogue and exchange, including of different perspectives and voices. The Special Rapporteur concluded by thanking volunteers, U.N. staff members, minority Fellows and others, all states who supported, the Chairman, the interpreters as well as all contributions of experience, expertise and recommendations to the Forum. He called for political leadership and resolute action from every Member State and for concrete steps to protect minorities and their identity. He stated that in every action and decision minorities themselves must be meaning fully included as active and equal participants. He reminded that someone once said that it is during our darkest moments that we have to focus on see the light and during the Forum, participants provided some light that is much needed to try to rethink, review and reform the UN Declaration on minorities and what is needed to make the world a better place, a place where there is peace and justice for all.