The Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Mr. Fernand de Varennes, recalled the purposed of the Forum which marks the 30th Anniversary of the Declaration and the reflections on how the overall situation of minorities has evolved globally and on the future of what needs to be done to improve and strengthen the recognition and protection of minorities. He presented the purposes of the first session entitled as "Normative frameworks and the mainstreaming of the declaration at the UN”. He also reminded the role of social media and online forums in relation to incitement of hatred towards minorities as an example of what was not foreseen thirty years ago in the context of the adoption of the Declaration. He also recalled the statement of the UN Secretary-General at the high-level meeting to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Declaration in September at the UN General Assembly, in which he mentioned the outright inaction and negligence in the protection of minority rights. He added that the following panels of the Forum would be discussing the precarious situations of human and minority rights defenders and their essential role in defending and promoting the principles in the Declaration, while threats and reprisals against minorities and their defenders have been increasing in efforts to silence them. He stressed that protecting and accommodating minorities and their identities is a hallmark of an inclusive society, while intolerance and xenophobia, the fear of others can lead to increased tensions, violence and more. He highlighted that better protection of the human rights of minorities including in the areas of political, economic and social participation should not be a factor of division or exclusion, but rather an acceptance that minorities are full-fledged members of society. Finally, he recalled that minorities are those who most need protection and they are amongst the most vulnerable and that we must be sensitive to acknowledge and be willing to defend. The Chair of the Forum, Prof. Abwa Daniel, stressed that the period of thirty years was considerable and good time to take stock of what has already been done. He continued by explaining the rules of proceedings to take the floor and modalities of participation to contribute constructively to the discussions in line with the themes addressed in the agenda. He also encouraged participants to provide concrete recommendations on how to tackle the issues under the agenda item and to direct specific questions to the panelists in order to stimulate dynamic and interactive discussions. Item II. Review: Normative framework and the mainstreaming of the Declaration at the UN Participants were invited to review the scope of the Declaration as well as the groups that it covers, those that it left behind, and ways in which the scope of the normative framework can be made more relevant and effective. They were invited to consider the degree to which the Declaration has enabled progress to be achieved in protecting minority rights globally and to identify best practices and developments from international and regional bodies that present useful models for securing a more effective normative framework. Participants were encouraged to take a fresh look at mainstreaming the Declaration and the human rights of minorities within the United Nations system and to consider the findings of the