Format of the Forum The Forum followed the procedure developed over its previous sessions. To help focus the discussions and ensure that they would be interactive, each agenda item was introduced by several invited panellists, followed by interventions from other participants. Outcome documents The present document is 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 43rd session in March 2020. 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 statements submitted to the Secretariat of the Forum on Minority Issues can be accessed at the Forum webpage. Item I. Opening meeting The President of the Human Rights Council Coly Seck welcomed all participants, extending a special welcome to all representatives from minority communities, and stressed that since its establishment in 2007 through the Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, the Forum has served as a unique annual meeting point, and a mechanism that promotes dialogue and cooperation among various stakeholders on issues pertaining to minorities. He noted that minorities around the world face persisting significant challenges in accessing quality education and, in particular, education that contributes to the preservation of their language and identity. Ambassador Coly Seck stated that the Human Rights Council has highlighted on many occasions, including through its resolutions and other activities, the importance of education in promoting inclusive and tolerant societies, which ultimately leads to the realization of all human rights. He recalled 2008 inaugural session of the Forum that addressed the education of minorities and its recommendation for States to provide adequate opportunities to persons belonging to minorities to learn their mother tongue or to learn through the medium of the mother tongue, as well as the recommendation highlighting the importance of enhancing the availability of teachers and of teaching materials in minority languages. He also referred to the Human Rights Council resolution 41/16 of July 2019 on the right to education. The High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet welcomed the focus of the Forum on the need for respect for minorities, and inclusion of their languages and cultures in every aspect of education. She emphasized the right to equal access to quality education for members of minority communities, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In particular, she noted that learning environments that are respectful and empowering are key openings towards the full development of the individual, and towards her or his capacity to make informed decisions and fully participate in social, political, economic and cultural life. She 2