Our procedure will follow the format of last year’s Forum. A limited number of presenters have been asked to introduce each agenda item. Discussions under each agenda item will then be open to all participants according to requests to be placed on the speakers list. In order to allow the largest possible participation and to have a more inter-active format, we ask that interventions during the discussion period be limited to no more than 3 minutes and be focused on the draft Recommendations and: a) the identification of challenges and problems facing minorities and States; b) the identification of good practices; and c) the consideration of opportunities, initiatives and solutions. This Forum will seek to provide concrete and tangible outcomes in the form of thematic recommendations of practical value to all stakeholders. Therefore, a set of draft action-oriented recommendations has been made available to all participants. It will constitute the basis for discussions during the two-day session. Given that the principal nature of this Forum is to be a platform for dialogue, we will not seek to negotiate the provisions of the Recommendations or to adopt the Recommendations as a body. Rather as called for in resolution 6/15, the thematic Recommendations will be reported to the Human Rights Council in my upcoming annual report. The Forum truly offers a unique and essential opportunity to come together in a spirit of cooperation and constructive endeavour to address some of the key minority issues that continue to challenge states and minorities in all regions. This second session of the Forum will focus on an issue of utmost importance to minorities and States around the world: “Effective Political