We welcome the Forum's focus this year on minorities in situations of humanitarian crises, as it touches upon the very fundamental question of how to ensure protection of those who belong to the most vulnerable and marginalized, and who are in need of primary attention when a disaster strikes. This principle guides the EU humanitarian aid, which is accorded to victims without discrimination on any grounds, including between or within affected populations, solely according to needs and paying particular attention to the most vulnerable, in accordance with the EU Humanitarian Aid Regulation and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid. We are looking forward to exchanging, throughout the Forum debates, our experience and ideas on how best to ensure protection of persons belonging to minorities in situations of humanitarian crisis, and how best to prevent or mitigate the impact of such disasters on the most vulnerable.