Geneva Institute for Coexistence Participates in the Annual United Nations Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva
Geneva – 27–28 November 2025
The Geneva Institute for Coexistence (GIC) participated in the Eighteenth Session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, and organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
This participation reflects the Institute’s ongoing commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, protecting minority rights, and strengthening diversity as a cornerstone of sustainable peace and social stability.
Geneva Institute for Coexistence Statement at the Forum
During the Forum sessions, a representative of the Geneva Institute for Coexistence delivered an official statement emphasizing that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full inclusion and protection of minorities. The statement highlighted that minorities are not merely numerical groups, but rather bridges of human understanding, whose languages, cultures, and traditions enrich societies and strengthen shared responsibility.
The statement further pointed to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a positive and successful model of coexistence in the Middle East, demonstrating a practical approach to respecting diversity and protecting all components of society—an experience that can offer valuable lessons to other regions seeking peace and social cohesion.
The speech also stressed that ongoing discrimination, violence, and political exclusion against minorities threaten not only minority communities, but also the stability of societies as a whole. It called for moving beyond rhetoric toward concrete action through:
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More inclusive governance systems;
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Accountability for hate crimes;
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Educational programs that promote respect for diversity from an early age.
In closing, the statement affirmed that peaceful coexistence is not an option, but a necessity, and that minorities are full partners in shaping the future. Their participation and voices must be guaranteed, and the Forum should serve not only as a space for dialogue, but also as a platform for real action and measurable progress.
About the Forum
The Eighteenth Session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues was held under the theme:
“The Contribution of Minorities to Diverse, Resilient, and Peaceful Societies.”
The Forum took place under exceptional circumstances due to the ongoing UN budget crisis and renovation works at the Palais des Nations. Despite these challenges, the Forum continued to provide a vital international platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the advancement of minority rights.
The Forum program included:
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A Pre-Forum Day on 26 November 2025, featuring an open preparatory meeting;
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A dedicated dialogue between civil society organizations and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues;
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Official sessions addressing the role of minorities in peacebuilding, resilience, and social cohesion.
Continued Commitment
The participation of the Geneva Institute for Coexistence in this UN forum reaffirms its dedication to supporting international efforts aimed at advancing minority rights, promoting pluralism, and building more inclusive, just, and peaceful societies, while contributing meaningfully to UN-level discussions that seek to translate human rights principles into practical and effective policies.
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