under the ethnic group promotion programme, including through financial means. In 2015 a total of € 3.868.000 has been provided for in this regard. In addition, under certain conditions, the languages of ethnic groups are admitted as official languages before courts and administrative authorities. In certain areas of the Austrian territory, names and signs of topographic character must be indicated both in German and in the language of the respective ethnic group. In the main strategic document on Austria's humanitarian assistance, the Three Year Programme on. Austrian Development Policy, we have put a specific focus on the inclusion of vulnerable groups throughout the whole project cycle. We have also made commitments at the World humanitarian Summit to empower local humanitarian action as well as resilience building. At the international level, UN institutions, funds, programs and organizations must be prepared to be able to actively contribute to the task of protecting minorities in humanitarian crises. In this context we should explore further the possibility of a more efficient mainstreaming of minority issues into all bodies of the United Nations. We welcome the initiatives that the Special Rapporteur has taken in this regard such as the organization of the recent consultative session in New York and encourage her to continue contributing to a deeper integration of minority issues also in the peace and security agenda of the UN. We hope that our discussions during the two days. will also be a starting point for ECOSOC to consider the specific situation of minorities during its humanitarian segment and that this Forum will be able to make a recommendation to ECOSOC in including the specific needs and abilities of minorities in its discussions of coordinated responses to humanitarian crises. In closing, let me reiterate once again our conviction that diversity and pluralism pose no risk to our societies, but are a source of development, progress and peace. There may be many different ways in addressing the risks that minorities face in humanitarian crises, but irrespectively of national contexts they all should share a common objective: the promotion and protection of persons belonging to minorities. Austria will continue its strong engagement in this direction and we are confident that the ideas and recommendations voiced at this Forum will form a good basis for further progress.