A/HRC/FMI/2010/2 II. Aims and objectives of the Forum on Minority Issues 6. The aims and objectives of the Forum on Minority Issues are established in Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 which requires that, under the guidance and preparation of the independent expert on minority issues, the Forum shall: – Meet annually to provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities; – Provide thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert on minority issues; – Identify and analyse best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the 1992 Declaration on Minorities; – Produce thematic recommendations to be reported to the Human Rights Council by the independent expert; – Contribute to efforts to improve cooperation among United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes on activities related to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities, including at the regional level. 7. The Forum offers a unique opportunity for engagement and dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders including United Nations Member States and bodies, specialized agencies, intergovernmental and regional organizations and minority representatives and civil society on minority issues and represents an opportunity for them to exchange experiences with regard to good practices and issues management in the field of minority relations. III. Framework 8. On the basis of the provisions of resolution 6/15 and in the wider context of promoting implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities in all regions, the focus of discussions during the Forum will revolve around three core elements: – Identification of challenges and problems facing minorities and States; – Identification of good practices in relation to minorities and effective participation in economic life; – Consideration of opportunities, initiatives and solutions. 9. The Forum will consider current practices and ways to increase the effective participation of minorities in economic life. It will take account of the fact that a great variety of country and minority situations exist and there are no one-size-fits all solutions to improving the participation of minorities in economic life, which is deeply affected by the context in which they live. National ownership of economic development strategies is fundamental, including in circumstances where national strategies are supported by global partnerships, development cooperation and assistance. 10. Three key pillars of human rights and minority legal protection are fundamental to addressing the exclusion of minorities from full and effective participation in economic life: the right to non-discrimination and the obligation to combat both direct and indirect discrimination to ensure the enjoyment of a range of economic and social rights; the right to effective participation in decision-making; and the need for implementation of special 3