A/HRC/34/46 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 28/14, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a forum on human rights, democracy and rule of law to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas and to identify and analyse best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. 2. The first session of the Forum was held on 21 and 22 November 2016 in Geneva with the theme “Widening the democratic space: the role of youth in public decisionmaking”. 3. In accordance with resolution 28/14, the President of the Human Rights Council appointed Daniiar Mukashev, Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Ahmad Alhendawi, Envoy of the Secretary General on Youth, as Co-Chairs. 4. At its first meeting, the agenda, as contained in the annotated provisional agenda (A/HRC/FD/2016/1) prepared under the guidance of the Co-Chairs with inputs from relevant stakeholders, was adopted. The present report was prepared by the Co-Chairs and contains a summary of the discussions at and the recommendations adopted by the Forum. 5. More than 600 participants attended the Forum, including representatives of Member States, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, regional and intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations, including youth advocates and representatives of youth organizations from all regions. The final list of participants is available from www.ohchr.org/democracyforum. II. Opening of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law 6. In his opening remarks, the President of the Human Rights Council noted that strengthening youth participation in public affairs should be a core objective for any society aspiring to build inclusive and democratic institutions that respected human rights. Noting the role of the Council in drawing international attention to the obstacles faced by young people around the world in the exercise of their right to meaningfully and effectively participate in public decision-making, he acknowledged that more must be done to mainstream the rights of young people in the work of human rights mechanisms, including the Council and its universal periodic review process. Citing the Secretary-General’s statement on the occasion of the 2016 International Youth Day, the President recalled that the world’s young people, who made up the largest generation of youth in history, could lead a global drive to break the patterns of the past and set the world on course to a more sustainable future. Furthermore, he called for the empowerment of young people to lead societies and contribute to finding solutions to the many challenges ahead. 7. The Deputy Secretary-General, in a video message, stated that all stakeholders should work not only for young people, but also with them. He stressed that respect for human rights, including the rights to non-discrimination, freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly, and the rule of law were essential to the claims of younger generations. The adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2250 (2015) on youth, peace and security constituted a historic step towards recognizing the need for youth to take an active role in making and building peace. Widening the democratic space helped to promote socioeconomic opportunities for all and was essential to build accountable and 3