In 2022, the theme of the UN Forum on Minority Issues as well as the Regional Forums on Minority Issues (forums) was the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (UN Declaration on Minorities). The minorities and experts participating in the forums all expressed the need for the adoption of a global treaty on minority rights and a mechanism to monitor its implementation.  In response, at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2023, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues (Rapporteur) encouraged member states to initiate a process of developing a legally binding international treaty on minority rights. In support of this, annexed to his annual report, he presented a proposal for a draft treaty on minority rights, which was developed with the assistance of experts. He also proposed the establishment of a permanent UN Forum on Minority Issues.

On 8 July 2023, the Special Rapporteur convened a global meeting of experts, with the support of the Tom Lantos Institute.

At this meeting in Budapest, participants discussed the internal UN procedures through which the draft treaty could be included in the UN's decision-making processes, how a permanent  Forum on Minority Issues could be established, and possibilities for ensuring the participation of minority communities in these processes.