2023 UN Forum on Minority Issues Held

The 16th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues was held in Geneva, Switzerland on November 30th and December 1st, 2023. This year's theme was “Minorities and Cohesive Societies: Equality, Social Inclusion, and Socio-Economic Participation.” The Forum was led by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Mr. Nicolas Levrat and the Co-Chairs of the Forum were Ms. Elena Lazar and Ms. Petra Roter. 

The Forum was attended by hundreds of participants, including state representatives, UN agencies, academic institutions, civil society, as well as minority organizations from various regions of the world.

The two-day Forum was divided into four sections that delved deeper into a variety of issues under the general theme. Keynote speakers included the President of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Václav Bálek, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov (pre-recorded video), Co-Executive Director of  Minority Rights Group, Ms. Claire Thomas and many more.  

The insights gained from the Forum will inform the Special Rapporteur's final recommendations, which he will present to the Human Rights Council in March 2024.

Recordings of the four sessions can be viewed at: 

https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1k/k1k3ynj61o

https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1w0kj5x3p

https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k15/k15urn8p9r

https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1m/k1m832f95y