Outcome documents The present document has been prepared in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 19/23, which requests the Chair to prepare “a summary of the discussion of the Forum, to be made available to all participants of the Forum”. This summary is to be complemented by the outcome document containing the recommendations of the Forum presented by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues to the Human Rights Council at its 55th session in March 2024. This summary does not provide the full details of all presentations that were made during the Forum’s proceedings. The list of speakers and the integral version of the statements submitted to the Secretariat of the Forum on Minority Issues can be accessed at the Forum webpage.3 Opening of the Forum The opening remarks relied on the following panelists: H.E. Mr. Václav Bálek, the President of the Human Rights Council, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris (pre-recorded video), the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov (pre-recorded video), the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Prof. Nicolas Levrat, and the Co-Chair of the sixteenth session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues, Prof. Petra Roter. The President of the Human Rights Council H.E. Mr. Václav Bálek presented his welcoming words and commended the Forum as a unique venue to reflect on issues pertaining to the enjoyment of all human rights by persons belonging to minorities through dialogue and co-operation between all stakeholders. He pointed out that this year’s event encouraged participants to look at the challenges to and opportunities for minorities in various spheres of their daily lives, such as education, employment and healthcare, and emphasized that the Forum provides an important opportunity to recognize the integrative role played by those genuinely cohesive and inclusive societies. He recalled that the Council has taken significant action to ensure that minority issues and minority rights remain firmly on the Council’s agenda, including the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, the establishment of this Forum and the decision to ensure a special fund to support the participation of civil society representatives at the Forum. The Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris noted that the cohesion of our societies depends on the recognition of the richness of their diversity - and the valued contribution of diversity starts with inclusion and effective participation. Realizing minority rights fundamentally requires equal opportunities and effective antidiscrimination measures. She pointed out that her findings indicate that about two-thirds of countries globally lack comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, contradicting the equality promised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She emphasized that her office focuses on combating inequality by advocating for human rights-centred economic policies, aiming to reduce economic and social disparities, and emphasizing the importance of fighting discrimination and increasing funding for essential services. The Assistant Secretary-General noted that the efforts of her office include promoting the participation and rights of persons belonging to communities that are marginalized groups, particularly minorities, to address and lessen inequalities. She quoted the Secretary-General’s report, “Our Common Agenda,” which highlights the need to overcome destabilizing inequalities for a greener, better, safer future. 3 Sixteenth session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues. The integral version of the statements can be consulted on the Human Rights Council Extranet here 2