The Forum opened with an address by US Secretary of State Pompeo, followed by the statement by IRFBA Chairman Samuel Brownback, Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom at the US State Department, and Ambassador Johannes Douma, IRFBA Vice-Chairman and Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

State Secretary Dr Raščan congratulated the Alliance on its impressive results so far and thanked the Secretariat for organising the Forum.

By joining the Alliance as a founding member, Slovenia reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to the protection and advancement of freedom of religion or belief, which is one of its national foreign policy priorities.

In this context, Slovenia contributes its share through international development cooperation, including through projects aimed at providing assistance to endangered religious communities around the world. These projects are implemented on a national basis; as regards future activities, however, possibilities for joining forces with partner countries are being examined.

In particular, State Secretary Dr Raščan highlighted human rights education for children, which has already proved to be an effective tool in promoting tolerance within groups of different religions or beliefs.

At the Forum, participants adopted a ministerial statement, which was also signed by Slovenia: 

• A Shared Vision for Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief for All