A/HRC/FMI/2025/2 the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.7 IV. General objectives 15. The Forum on Minority Issues provides a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. The Forum also provides a platform for identifying and analysing best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. 16. At its eighteenth session, the Forum will: (a) Examine the root causes of exclusion, discrimination and intergroup tensions, including entrenched inequalities, social stigma and the persistent invisibility of minority groups; (b) Highlight best practices for preventing social tensions that may arise from the coexistence of persons belonging to minorities and dominant groups, focusing on both institutional discrimination and intergroup dynamics in daily life; (c) Analyse how the contributions of minorities to all aspects of society can be fairly recognized and meaningfully integrated into national narratives, institutions and policies through inclusive, multi-stakeholder and multilevel engagement; (d) Explore the unique perspectives and essential contributions of persons belonging to minorities in rebuilding inclusive, stable, just and sustainable institutions in societies in transition (including post-conflict settings or following a regime change, with particular attention to their roles in peacebuilding processes); (e) Identify and analyse challenges, opportunities, practices and initiatives that strengthen the inclusion of minorities, in line with the principles and rights enshrined in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and other relevant international instruments; (f) Support efforts to mainstream minority rights across the institutions, mechanisms and initiatives of the United Nations system at the global, regional and country levels, including through improved coordination among United Nations mechanisms, bodies, specialized agencies, funds and programmes; (g) Make thematic recommendations to be reported to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, in accordance with Council resolution 19/23. 17. Also at its eighteenth session, the Forum will examine State practices through legislation, policies and programmes, alongside civil society initiatives. It will emphasize the prominent contributions of other key stakeholders, including international and regional organizations and various forms of cooperation, in achieving the above-mentioned goals. Particular focus will be placed on the empowerment of minorities through individual and collective expression as a means of fostering social cohesion and reinforcing their essential role in building inclusive and stable societies. V. Participants 18. The Forum on Minority Issues is open to the participation of States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies and academics, experts and non-governmental organizations working on minority issues; the Forum is also open to the 7 4 A/70/212. GE.25-14152