A/76/PV.39 General Assembly

The General Assembly will continue its consideration of agenda item 108, entitled “Crime prevention and criminal justice”, to hear the remaining speakers for the high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). Before we begin with the list of speakers, I would like to remind members of important organizational matters pertaining to the conduct of the plenary meetings. Introductions of pre-recorded statements will be made by representatives from their national seats. Due to time constraints, we expect introductory remarks to be concise. Statements delivered by high- level representatives who are physically present in the Assembly Hall may be made from their national seats or from the rostrum. As set out in resolution 75/283, statements will be limited to three minutes for individual delegations and five minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States. In the case of pre-recorded statements, introductory remarks and the length of the video itself will be counted as part of the allocated time limit. In addition to the verbatim records of the high-level meeting, and in accordance with decision 76/511, the President of the General Assembly will circulate as a document of the Assembly a compilation document of the statements delivered by means of pre-recorded statements during the high-level meeting and submitted to the President no later than the day on which the pre-recorded statement is played in the Assembly Hall, and such pre-recorded statements will be attached to the verbatim records of the meeting. Members are also reminded that the closing segment will take place immediately following the plenary segment in this Hall.

In Argentina, the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293) is a fundamental tool for implementing public policies. Argentina is strongly committed to the fight against the aberrant crime of trafficking in persons. We are engaged at a multilateral level and are working to promote national policies to rid our country of this crime. There can be no doubt that the cooperation, training and exchange of information and good practices encouraged by the relevant United Nations bodies have enabled Argentina to deepen its understanding of the issue and provided us with tools to deal with it. Argentina amended its law on trafficking in persons in 2012 to establish a federal council to combat human trafficking and protect and assist victims that has functional autonomy across jurisdictions and ministries, as well as an executive committee tasked with implementing a national programme. These bodies encourage the creation of the coordination mechanisms among national and provincial authorities that are so essential to tackling organized crime. Our country has made great strides in the fight against trafficking since 2002, when we ratified the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Our public policies and institutional tools are reflected in our 2020-2022 biennial plan to combat this crime, which was developed in a participatory and coordinated manner with the five ministries that make up the executive committee, in coordination with 44 partner agencies. It includes 100 actions divided into three strategic areas  — prevention, assistance and prosecution — and one cross-cutting area, institutional strengthening. As a priority, our efforts in the fight against this transnational crime are focused on working to provide high-quality support for the people affected by the crime of trafficking, enabling them to escape situations of exploitation and build a life plan with autonomy, freedom and dignity. In that regard, the plan provides for employment reintegration quotas, access to decent housing, strengthened economic support plans, comprehensive health care, compensation through assets seized from trafficking networks and the creation of a trust fund to dispose of confiscated assets, among other actions. Notwithstanding the many advances that have been made, the current challenges in the fight against this transnational crime include promoting in-depth investigations of the economic aspects of criminal networks with the aim of dismantling their financial base in order to pay reparations to survivors and eventually eliminate such networks altogether. My Government has rescued more than 19,000 victims of sexual or labour trafficking since 2008, and it is important to point out that the most vulnerable are women and LGBTQI persons. For that reason, article 5 of Argentina’s Act No. 26.485 on the comprehensive protection of women recognizes human trafficking as a form of gender-based violence. In recent years, Argentina has made significant progress among the international community in the fight against trafficking, but there is still much work to be done. Our country has a well-developed regulatory framework, and society is aware of the issue and is mobilized in the face of the horror of this crime. We are therefore committed to continuing to work to help solve this serious problem, which harms people’s life, freedom and dignity.

We have to know the past to understand the present, and we should learn from the present to prepare for the future. Accordingly, I believe that today’s meeting is an opportune moment for us to reflect. The numbers of cases of trafficking in persons remain high to this day. Criminals target the most vulnerable, particularly women and children. The coronavirus disease has increased vulnerabilities while reducing the resources and capacity to respond, and issues such as vaccine distribution and the cost of migration may exacerbate the problem. We need to reaffirm our political commitments and actions to prevent and combat trafficking in persons. If we are to deliver concrete results, our strategies should correspond to and even predict the evolving challenges. I would like to share a few pertinent points. First, we must strengthen international cooperation. The transboundary nature of trafficking in person means that the problem cannot be solved in silos. We must share best practices and work together to strengthen our capacity to respond to victims and disrupt criminal traffickers. As we emerge from the pandemic, countries must ensure that their vaccine choices and the increased cost of migration will not burden migrants. Secondly, we must remain agile and adaptive in our response. Sixty per cent of the global population uses the Internet. At the same time, criminal traffickers are increasingly using social media to attract victims. It will be critical to use information and communications technologies for our benefit in order to raise awareness of safe migration and ensure early detection. We should also increase capabilities in using digital technology to deliver services and protection to victims. Thirdly, multi-stakeholder partnerships must be strengthened. Cooperation with civil society, academia and the private sector is increasingly important. A whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach will strengthen prevention, law-enforcement and protection strategies that are victim-centred. Within the framework of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime we have established the Bali Process Government and Business Forum, which will complement and support global efforts to eradicate trafficking in persons, including through forced labour along the supply chain. Our responsibility to protect goes beyond numbers. One victim is one person too many. We need to redouble our efforts and strengthen our solidarity. In that spirit, Indonesia welcomes the 2021 Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7) as an action-oriented strategy to end this heinous crime.

At the outset, I would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to the President for holding this important meeting, demonstrating the attention that the United Nations and Member States pay to the issue of trafficking in persons, which requires international cooperation and coordination. We also welcome the Assembly’s adoption through resolution 76/7 of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Human trafficking is a crime that affects human dignity and freedom through the worst kind of exploitation. We emphasize Iraq’s international obligations in this area, including under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which we ratified in Act No. 20 of 2007, and in that regard we therefore also enacted an anti-trafficking law, Act No. 28 of 2012. However, its implementation has revealed some gaps, so it is currently being reviewed and updated. The Iraqi Government has also adopted a national plan for human rights covering the period from 2021 to 2025 in order, among other things, to address the root causes of the problem and step up efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and girls, and to strengthen the work of our Central Committee for Combating Human Trafficking and provide it with the financial, human and technical resources it needs to do its job. It should be noted that combating this crime requires international efforts, and we must all cooperate if we are to uphold human dignity. Even during the coronavirus disease pandemic, the Iraqi Government made every possible effort to dismantle human trafficking networks, bring perpetrators to justice and identify their victims. We stress the importance of supporting the victims of human trafficking and exploitation and protecting and safeguarding them while respecting their human rights. We emphasize that because Iraqi laws guarantee freedom of movement, falling into the hands of human trafficking networks is dangerous. My Government will continue to work to dismantle and prosecute them. In conclusion, my delegation welcomes the inclusion of paragraphs in the Political Declaration that emphasize the provision of assistance to Member States through training and capacity-building for national authorities.

In thanking the President for convening this meeting and highlighting the adoption through resolution 76/7 of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, I would like to emphasize the Declaration’s relevance, as it deals with one of the cruellest crimes in the world today. Human trafficking robs millions of people of their dignity and occurs in all regions. In other words, it is a global problem that our Organization must address as a matter of priority. Human trafficking is a phenomenon that generally goes hand in hand with racial, gender and other forms of discrimination and that now requires renewed and invigorated global action, since economic hardship, conflict, health and climate emergencies are increasing and aggravating vulnerabilities to trafficking, exploitation and the abuse that this crime entails. The data from specialized agencies are devastating. Women and girls are the worst affected by this transnational crime. Human trafficking is cross-border in nature and punishes people who have done nothing more than wish for a better future elsewhere. Organized criminal networks not only crush that possibility, but in many cases also build their wealth through trafficking, because there are no adequate mechanisms for bringing them to justice, which therefore perpetuates the severe violations of the human rights of victims of trafficking and smuggling. The traditional approach to fighting crime is no longer adequate. Transnational organized crime uses technology to capture its victims and hide the profits of this illicit activity. That demands that our Governments use more effective mechanisms to combat human trafficking and smuggling. We believe that the investigation and punishment of those who traffic people for exploitation or for organ trafficking cannot depend solely on the testimonies and legal actions of victims or their families. We must work to share diagnostics, strengthen judicial cooperation mechanisms and modernize criminal legislation. Bolivia would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to resolutely combating this crime. We ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2001 and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in 2005. We also have a comprehensive law against human trafficking and smuggling that establishes a specialized council whose purpose is to formulate national policies in this area. Bolivia is currently formulating a plan for data collection on the parts of its borders considered most sensitive in order to improve cooperation mechanisms. In addition, we are also signing agreements with our neighbours to join our efforts with the countries of origin, transit and destination of trafficking victims and thereby establish bilateral cooperation mechanisms. In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to the Political Declaration we have just adopted and are grateful for the opportunity to listen to survivors. They have our respect and the commitment of my delegation to supporting the implementation of the action plan against this human scourge.

It is a pleasure to address the General Assembly at this high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). We thank the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Abdulla Shahid, and his team for organizing this meeting, and would also like to express our appreciation to Mr. Enrique Manalo, of the Philippines, and Mr. José Alfonso Blanco Conde, of the Dominican Republic, the co-facilitators of the Political Declaration, which the Assembly adopted through resolution 76/7 in yesterday’s opening segment (see A/76/PV.37). Human trafficking remains a major challenge to global security and development. It is a serious crime and a grave offence to the dignity as well as the physical and mental integrity of its victims. By devastating lives and destroying families, it is first and foremost a grave violation of human rights. Yesterday afternoon, during the interactive panels, we heard directly from experts and the representatives of front-line organizations and survivor support groups. As was echoed by the people in the field, trafficking in women and children remains a particular concern, since these groups are disproportionately affected by this modern-day form of slavery. Moreover, the digitalization of trafficking and the related growing misuses of technology are making an effective response even more urgent. A strong national legal framework and its effective implementation are fundamental to preventing and combating trafficking in persons. Gender-responsive efforts, as well as victim- and survivor-centred approaches, are also crucial. Turkey’s policy for combating human trafficking is based on the so-called four Ps method — prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. In our experience, effective prevention requires identifying areas of exploitation areas and mobilizing every possible institutional capacity for an integrated fight. Turkey’s anti-trafficking coordination committees, together with provincial anti-trafficking coordination commissions, are key mechanisms attended by all policymaking institutions in relevant areas, such as migration, labour, trade and investment, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations. In terms of protection, the identification of victims is the starting point. Cooperation with NGOs is particularly important in this area, as victims in vulnerable groups tend to reach out to NGOs rather than public institutions as a first resort. The chain of notification can therefore only be complete with NGO cooperation. As an example of good practice, a free telephone hotline has been in operation in Turkey since 2005 in order to assist victims of human trafficking. To draw attention to the particular vulnerability of women and girls, Turkey’s 2020 annual national report on human trafficking was dedicated to all women who have been exploited. Also, on the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, on 30 July, a campaign entitled “Be my voice” aimed at victims of human trafficking reached more than 1 million people in Turkey. In terms of prosecution, in addition to the fundamental constitutional guarantees, the crime of human trafficking is covered in detail in our penal code. Various other laws, regulations and decrees also contain detailed provisions on preventing and fighting this crime, as well as on protecting and supporting victims, regardless of their nationality. When it comes to partnerships, Turkey fully supports all international cooperation mechanisms for combating human trafficking. We prioritize the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols. Turkey collaborates closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and with the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. We are also engaged in efforts to address human trafficking at the regional level and have bilateral cooperation agreements with a number of countries in our region. The specific vulnerability of migrants and refugees to trafficking in persons also warrants greater attention and closer scrutiny. The large and growing number of people on the move who are already in vulnerable situations continue to face greater risks of victimization at the hands of traffickers. What is also concerning is that the inhumane treatment of these highly vulnerable people, including women and children, seems, shamefully, to be becoming an established practice for some. Hardly a day goes by on the Aegean Sea, for example, without footage of coast guards attacking refugee boats or officials hitting or firing guns at desperate people and leaving them injured, intentionally trying to deflate or capsize their boats or forcibly driving them into Turkish waters. Such practices are not only a disgrace to humankind, but they are also blatant violations of human rights and international law. We need stronger, concrete action to stop them and a principled approach to protecting the human rights of vulnerable people on the move, including victims of human trafficking.

The Government of Mexico has fully shouldered its responsibilities regarding the challenge of preventing and combating the criminal networks that profit from human trafficking. We are working to restore the rights of the victims and survivors of this terrible crime and to guarantee their access to justice. Trafficking is an extreme form of violence. It attacks dignity and human rights and corrupts the freedom, capacity for development and physical and emotional integrity of its victims and survivors. Mexico welcomes the holding of this high-level meeting and the adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). We are pleased that the Declaration for the first time recognizes the importance of eliminating all the forms of discrimination and violence that victims of human trafficking may experience. We are committed to eliminating every kind of sexual and gender-based violence and to providing sexual and reproductive health services, mental health services and psychosocial support to victims. We also welcome the Declaration’s recognition of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the global compact on refugees. These are important instruments that require specific commitments and actions to prevent, combat and eradicate the crime of human trafficking in the context of human mobility. We will redouble our assistance to migrants who have been victims of trafficking, particularly women and girls. The Government of Mexico would like to take this opportunity to share five national priority objectives that are aligned with the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293) and the Political Declaration adopted at this meeting (see A/76/PV.37). They are, first, encouraging reform of the regulatory framework on human trafficking at the federal level; secondly, establishing coordination among all levels of Government and strategic social sectors to eradicate human trafficking at the national level; thirdly, strengthening assistance, social reintegration and comprehensive reparations for victims and survivors of human trafficking; fourthly, promoting the human rights of victims and potential victims of human trafficking from a gender perspective and taking an intersectional approach; and lastly, fostering awareness of human trafficking in the community, municipal, state, regional, national and international contexts with a view to optimizing the implementation of public policies and actions to prevent and combat human trafficking. Mexico has urged its states to enact laws in this area, as well as sign on to its general law on the protection, punishment and eradication of human trafficking offences and on victim protection and assistance and establish state-level inter-institutional councils, commissions and committees on trafficking in persons and specialized prosecutors’ offices. We are also prioritizing the analysis of financial and economic structures in order to directly combat criminal groups that benefit from human trafficking and related crimes. Finally, recognizing that preventing and combating human trafficking must be a pluralistic and collective effort, Mexico has encouraged civil society and academia’s greater involvement and participation in the work of its interministerial commission against human trafficking. This collegiate body is mandated to formulate and coordinate the implementation of Government policy on human trafficking and to promote inter-institutional linkages throughout the country aimed at preventing and punishing associated crimes. Through these actions and its reliance on multilateral cooperation and the comprehensive implementation of the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Government of Mexico has demonstrated its commitment to combating trafficking in persons by updating its legislation and strengthening its public policy in this area.

Côte d’Ivoire welcomes the holding of this high-level meeting devoted to the fight against human trafficking. It offers us an opportunity to take stock of our shared commitments and propose appropriate solutions to this issue, which continues to be a heinous crime and a source of serious human rights violations. My delegation notes with concern that 11 years after the adoption of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293), our national and international efforts have not yet succeeded in eradicating this scourge. According to the United Nations, it is the third most widespread form of trafficking in the world after drugs and arms. Nevertheless, my country welcomes the progress, albeit tentative, that has been made in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. That includes establishing various international, regional and subregional cooperation frameworks, improving the rate of ratification of international instruments to combat human trafficking and significantly strengthening national mechanisms aimed at combating such trafficking. Since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated vulnerabilities and provided a breeding ground for the growth of this mafia-style phenomenon, it is more important than ever that we redouble our efforts and adapt our means to fight it. If we are to provide an adequate response, we require a better understanding of this multifaceted threat, which feeds on corruption, irregular migration and terrorism, among other things. In that regard, our actions should be focused on establishing robust and mutually reinforcing frameworks that combine prevention, protection and prosecution. In addition, we must continue to improve our coordination of these efforts, including in fighting the criminal use of information and communications technologies, which have become the preferred tools of traffickers. It is equally imperative to address the root causes of this scourge, including conflict, terrorism, and the effects of climate change, poverty and unemployment, which are amplified by the effects of COVID-19. Côte d’Ivoire has made the fight against human trafficking one of its priorities. That is why we have ratified the relevant international conventions, subsequently adapted our legislative framework and undertaken vigorous awareness-raising efforts. We have taken new steps at the legislative and institutional level, including the creation in 2011 of an interministerial committee to combat trafficking, exploitation and child labour; the enactment in 2016 of a trafficking in persons law with measures for prevention, repression and victim assistance; the development of a national strategy to combat trafficking in persons, together with a five-year action plan; and the establishment of a national committee to combat trafficking in persons and a helpline for reporting human trafficking. Furthermore, my country, which favours a holistic approach, has concluded agreements at the bilateral and regional levels and with international organizations. I would like to conclude by underlining that we need the combined efforts of all if we are to succeed in putting an end to this ignoble trade in human beings, which is a challenge to our collective conscience.

I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). Addressing the trafficking problem is becoming increasingly complex, given our globalized networks and rapid advances in technology and transportation. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has increased people’s vulnerability to trafficking, particularly women and girls. Given this situation, Maldives welcomes the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7) adopted here yesterday (see A/76/PV.37), and the clear signal it sends from the international community that human trafficking will not be tolerated anywhere and that we will continue to take the necessary steps to eliminate human trafficking in all its manifestations. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges, our Government has remained steadfast in its efforts to combat human trafficking and to implement the Global Plan of Action. In 2018 we ratified a law on preventing human trafficking, which makes trafficking a criminal offence punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment. We have also ratified two amendments to the law in order to bring the definition of trafficking into line with the 2000 Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. We have developed a national anti-trafficking action plan and set up an office in the Ministry of Defence that coordinates the Government’s efforts on trafficking. In recognition of the synchronization required to combat the issue, our national anti-human trafficking steering committee has a broad array of agencies and ministries represented to ensure an all-of-Government approach to addressing the problem. The Government has allocated specific funds under the State budget for these activities to help bolster our efforts. Beyond these legislative and policy changes, we have stepped up action on the ground as well. A shelter has been set up to provide a secure refuge for victims of human trafficking and we have conducted national social media campaigns to raise awareness of the issue. We have also elevated the role of law-enforcement authorities to better address human trafficking cases. These various interlinked and coordinated initiatives, supported by strong political will on the part of the Government, have resulted in the upgrading of Maldives to tier 2 in the United States Department of State’s 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report and its removal from the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office list of human rights priority countries. We are pleased with our strong recent progress on the issue but recognize the need to continue to ramp up our efforts to combat trafficking. Trafficking, like many of our most pressing challenges today, is one that no country can address alone. Maldives welcomes the Political Declaration we have just adopted as a strong reaffirmation of our collective global political will to end trafficking. We remain committed to enhancing cooperation with our international partners to resolve the challenges we face in eliminating the complex crime of human trafficking in all of its forms. The Political Declaration highlights the importance of scaling up our resources to match the gravity of the challenge. That includes intensifying our international cooperation, capacity-building and exchanges of best practices and know-how to strengthen our ability to both prevent trafficking and address the needs of victims. At the same time, we recognize that armed conflict, natural disasters and other crises result in the increased risk of trafficking. We must ensure that efforts are undertaken to address the root causes of conflict  — including climate change and other environmental and ecological destruction — that create conditions conducive to human trafficking. Much as the Maldives has done at home, we must improve the overall coordination and coherence of the United Nations system in responding to trafficking and supporting the efforts of Member States, particularly small island developing States. Given the cross-cutting nature of this challenge, it is vital that the United Nations system continue to ensure that efforts are coordinated and complementary. Trafficking is an atrocious crime. This high-level meeting is a positive demonstration of the continued commitment of Member States, the United Nations system and civil-society actors to continuing to work closely together to close the gaps in addressing human trafficking.

During this high-level meeting, previous speakers have referred to human trafficking as one of the world’s most heinous crimes against human dignity. It is that without a doubt, as such acts degrade individuals to the point of turning them into mere commodities to be sold, bought and exploited. To make things worse, the abuse often remains invisible because the victims suffer their exploitation in silence, a silence imposed on them by criminal networks. The social and economic crisis arising from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has reversed the global decrease in extreme poverty, worsened job losses and made regular migration more difficult, thereby helping to increase people’s vulnerability to trafficking networks. For their part, those networks have continued investing in innovative business models, making it difficult for Governments, international organizations and civil society to combat human trafficking. This is therefore a complex transnational problem that requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Spain, unfortunately, is often a destination country for victims of human trafficking. Many people have become more vulnerable and exposed to the activity of international criminal groups since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our efforts should therefore reflect the urgent need for comprehensive, coordinated and multidisciplinary action. The United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293) has shown us the way, which is through the so-called four Ps — prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. What is Spain doing regarding the Global Plan? In the area of prevention, we are already working on the social change needed to make trafficking inconceivable, through education, awareness and especially the promotion of gender equality, given that women are the main, although not the only, victims of this scourge. With regard to protection, for the first time Spain has made a contribution to the United Nations voluntary trust fund for victims of human trafficking. The fight against trafficking is also a priority area of action of Spain’s feminist foreign policy. The data are unequivocal — seven of every 10 victims of trafficking are women. Regulatory frameworks, public policies and instruments must take specific account of gender perspectives and impacts. Spain will continue to promote action at the international and national levels to ensure that women and girls do not suffer disproportionately from this extreme form of violence. In terms of prosecution, it is impossible to eradicate this scourge without prosecuting those responsible for its networks. Given that an effective solution can only be built on a basis of global action, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to three actions. The first is promoting the reinforcement of the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; the second is creating a network of bilateral agreements on human trafficking; and the third is becoming involved in the revised European Union strategy for its eradication. These steps at the international level are being combined with decisive action domestically. We are already preparing a national strategic plan against trafficking and exploitation of human beings and have an anti-trafficking national focal point or rapporteur to coordinate all our efforts under our strategy for prevention and suppression. Lastly, there can be no solution to this issue without strengthening international partnerships. Spain has initiated bilateral negotiations with some of the countries on the same trafficking routes in order to address the situation jointly between countries of origin and destination. The aim of that cooperation is to be able to conclude bilateral international agreements that will give us effective tools for this fight. In March, in collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations, our Foreign Ministry organized the first International Seminar on Human Trafficking, in Madrid. One of the main outcomes was to make the issue a priority on the global agenda, because any type of offence against human dignity must be a priority and because trafficking, in particular, cannot be fought from other than a global perspective.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate the President on organizing this very important high-level meeting and to welcome the General Assembly’s adoption of the 2021 Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). Human trafficking is an international threat that embodies cruelty and channels millions of dollars every year, with women and children as its main victims. According to the latest United Nations Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, human trafficking moves an annual $30 billion around the world, of which more than 75 per cent comes from the sexual exploitation of women and children. The situation of human trafficking in the world remains extremely worrying. Angola, as a State party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols, including the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, to which we acceded in 2010, has adopted a national action plan to combat human trafficking and a national human rights strategy on handling cases of human trafficking. Government officials, youth and women’s organizations and other civil-society organizations have been trained to identify trafficking issues and report them to authorities. In Angola, human trafficking claims more than 100 victims a year, including men, young people, women and children, many of them from vulnerable and underresourced populations. Between 2015 and 2020, we registered more than 100 cases of human trafficking for the purposes of exploiting child labour and sexual trafficking. Most were identified on our national borders. Since 2014 we have adopted significant legal provisions aimed specifically at punishing the crime of trafficking in persons and have been able to penalize those involved in human smuggling and trafficking. In 2020, Angola joined the group of countries being monitored for achieving the standards necessary for combating trafficking in humans. We also joined the Blue Heart Campaign launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in solidarity with victims of trafficking. In order to raise people’s awareness, our Government has launched a campaign through the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights aimed at identifying every form of human trafficking practice and denouncing them as violations of human rights and freedoms. Like many other nations, today Angola is facing the challenge posed by the use of information technologies for criminal activity. The increase in crime associated with technological advances requires a similar response on the part of Governments, which need to strengthen criminal investigations in order to improve countries’ capacity to confront this type of crime. In that regard, Angola continues to cooperate and exchange information with continental and regional organizations such as the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the Economic Community of West African States, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as INTERPOL, to enforce preventive measures at airports and land and sea borders. We believe that international cooperation in the field of criminal justice should be strengthened and Member States’ means for sharing experiences improved in order to increase our capacity to prevent human trafficking and international crime, which affects mostly women and children. In that regard, we consider the role of UNODC and the technical support it provides to Member States very important, and its capacity-building and technical assistance programme designed for low-income countries, especially developing countries, needs to be improved. Angola reiterates its full commitment to working with Member States, UNODC and other organizations to prevent and combat human trafficking.

Kenya is honoured to speak at this high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). As a country, we are determined to prevent the trafficking of persons and punish the criminal networks  — including those also trafficking in drugs  — that are involved in it, the corruption that feeds it, the terrorism that benefits from it and the illicit financial flows that go along with it. Like everyone here, we believe that trafficking is part of the criminal economies that are incentivizing the insurgency, terrorism and prolongation of conflicts that represent key challenges for the global community. Our national action plan incorporates international cooperation in the prevention, detection, investigation and neutralization of trafficking, and in recent years we have ramped up our policy on transnational organized crime and trafficking. We have also instituted a multi-agency approach by enacting a law to counter trafficking in persons that criminalizes and punishes such offences. I want to briefly highlight four points. First, special attention must be given to development and to protecting the most vulnerable groups, including migrants, women, girls and young children, who are at risk of being trafficked and exploited by these criminal networks. Secondly, identifying, protecting, supporting and providing resources to survivors of trafficking remain key to building and strengthening a survivor-centred approach and efforts to restore survivors’ rights while preventing further violations. Thirdly, awareness-raising, the use of data and analytics, information-sharing, capacity-building and a multi-agency approach are vital to Governments’ efforts to protect victims and to prevent and prosecute trafficking in persons. This means that various countries may need assistance in building the systems that respond to those imperatives. Fourthly, terrorist groups engage in trafficking in persons to gain recruits and insert operatives into the field. The number of those trafficked does not have to be large to do extensive damage to our countries and regions, not to mention our populations. Think, for instance, of the suicide bombers whose actual suicide attacks are simply the end product of their trafficking by terrorist groups. We urge States to renew their commitment to combating trafficking in persons by implementing the Global Plan of Action. But beyond that, we also need to implement the Security Council resolutions that deal with trafficking, particularly the trafficking of foreign fighters. This challenge must be seen as part of a combined series of challenges that include trafficking in persons, arms and cultural property and the illicit financing of insurgent and terrorist organizations. We must therefore approach our action against trafficking in persons alongside action in all the various arenas where the criminal networks that facilitate trafficking are working. I want to close by congratulating the Dominican Republic and the Philippines on the successful negotiation of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). We look forward to working with Member States to create a world free from trafficking in persons and other forms of organized crime.

I am reading this statement on behalf of Ms. Antje Leendertse, the Permanent Representative of Germany, who unfortunately cannot be here today owing to unforeseen commitments. We would like to thank the President for the opportunity to speak at the United Nations high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). Germany supports the statement by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs on behalf of the European Union (see A/76/PV.37). Smuggling migrants and trafficking in human beings are serious crimes. Furthermore, trafficking in persons is a severe violation of human rights, as it undermines the dignity and liberty of its victims. Like other countries in Europe, Germany is affected by trafficking in persons mainly, but not only, in the context of sexual exploitation. The coronavirus disease pandemic has put victims of human trafficking in more vulnerable situations, including vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence. The pandemic has also made it more challenging to identify and support victims of trafficking. We are a party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and to the other pertinent international conventions in the framework of the European Union and the Council of Europe. We are currently establishing further national structures in order to improve the mechanisms that help us to collect and analyse data related to trafficking in human beings so as to better prevent, detect and punish trafficking in persons and protect and assist its victims. Considering the importance of combating trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants, we are very concerned about the situation on the western Belarusian border. The regime in Minsk has continued to exploit vulnerable human beings for its political objectives. The Belarusian Government is cynically exploiting people’s hopes. While the regime seems to have finally provided emergency shelters, humanitarian access is still completely inadequate. The past few months have shown that the regime in Minsk has no scruples about putting migrants’ lives and health in danger. Several people have already died in this awful situation, and the Lukashenko regime is responsible for that. We call on the countries of origin and transit to intensify their efforts to make an active contribution to ending this tragic situation. We appreciate the measures that the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government have taken to enable their citizens to return home. Let me close by reiterating Germany’s commitment to combating trafficking in persons and protecting victims and those who are especially vulnerable to that appalling crime.

Brazil is unwavering in its commitment to fighting human trafficking and is pleased to see that the international efforts to combat this scourge have not halted during the current pandemic. In that regard, we welcome the continuing discussion of the implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). Brazil joins other Member States in recognizing that the difficult public-health situation that countries are facing and the consequent worsening of the prospects for generating employment and income for their populations are serious and disheartening. In that context, it is no surprise that many are willing to risk their lives and well-being on irregular migration routes, where they are at a greater risk of falling victim to trafficking and smuggling networks. Human trafficking is a complex and multifaceted crime with economic, social, cultural and psychological factors, as well as human rights issues, and therefore calls for a multidisciplinary approach. Brazil’s experience shows that effectively combating human trafficking requires a comprehensive and coordinated strategy that should also involve the national, regional and international institutions responsible for the investigation and punishment of perpetrators and those who create demand for these crimes, as well as for the protection of their victims. Brazil recognizes that individual measures and isolated actions cannot bring a lasting solution to this problem. At the same time, we must admit that it is impossible to foresee every situation that will expose individuals to human trafficking. That is why Brazil is of the view that unduly restrictive immigration policies can compound the effects of human trafficking. Indeed, regular channels for migration are an important tool in our arsenal for preventing trafficking in persons. Refugees and irregular migrants are especially vulnerable if they are treated as criminals in their countries of transit and destination. Effective strategies to deal with trafficking in persons must ensure that human rights are respected and that its victims, particularly women and unaccompanied minors, have access to adequate protection measures, including legal measures. Brazil’s legislation includes several provisions for protecting migrants so that they do not fall victim to trafficking in persons. In particular, Brazil offers humanitarian visas for persons from countries in situations of grave or imminent institutional instability or armed conflict, among other possibilities outlined in our regulations. We also have provisions for granting residence permits to victims of trafficking in persons, modern forms of slavery and other rights violations in view of such people’s migratory status. Recognizing the need for a victim-centred approach, Brazil has a network for supporting victims of human trafficking, and protecting and promoting their fundamental rights, that covers both foreigners who have come to Brazil and Brazilians who return to their country after being taken abroad for criminal purposes. In conclusion, Brazil attaches great importance to Member States’ efforts to enhance international cooperation on the issue of human trafficking, as well as those of the Secretary-General, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other related bodies of the Organization, INTERPOL and other strategic partners. Brazilian legislation has facilitated more integrated efforts between national and international police authorities, contributing to the reduction of bureaucratic barriers to bringing criminals to justice. Brazil is an active participant in INTERPOL actions relating to the exchange of information on current investigations and coordinated operations all over the world. In that connection, we have played a relevant role in fighting human trafficking, migrant smuggling and related crimes.

Since the adoption of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons in 2010 (resolution 64/293), significant progress has been registered in identifying and addressing many of the social, economic, cultural, political and other factors that make people vulnerable to human trafficking. But reality has shown that despite that progress, the extent of human trafficking across the globe has worsened. The drivers of vulnerability are getting stronger and stronger. Armed conflicts and humanitarian emergencies are on the rise, and socioeconomic inequalities are increasing while the gender gap is widening. The coronavirus disease pandemic has exacerbated those trends, making it much easier for vulnerable people to fall victim to sex trafficking, forced labour or other forms of human exploitation. There is therefore an urgent need to ramp up our efforts to prevent human trafficking and investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers. In that context, I would like to emphasize four points. First, we should improve our ability and mechanisms to enable the early identification of victims or potential victims of trafficking. We must thoroughly examine the domestic factors that fuel this growing global industry and identify effective ways to counter them. We need to be prepared to counter human trafficking in the digital era, especially where the trafficking of women and children is concerned. Secondly, the international response to trafficking requires a human rights-based and victim-centred approach. It is important not only to protect the victims but also to listen to them. We have to provide them with the healing and training they need to begin a normal and productive life. Thirdly, to achieve justice, we should take steps to ensure a strong foundation in the rule of law. While we have seen progress in the development of comprehensive legal frameworks and adequate instruments for prosecuting traffickers, there are still too few convictions and too much impunity. Fourthly, building and promoting strong partnerships among Governments and governmental agencies, academic institutions and the media, civil society and the private sector is crucial to strengthening our collective action and improving our protection and prevention capabilities. Combating trafficking in persons remains a priority for my country. Albania has taken concrete actions to revise and improve legislation and enhance coordination at the national and regional levels, while strengthening the prevention and protection mechanisms already in place. Just a few weeks ago my Government approved a national action plan for the period from 2021 to 2023 against trafficking in persons, the result of an open and inclusive process involving various stakeholders, civil-society organizations and grassroot organizations working directly with victims of trafficking. The plan is based on four main pillars — prevention, protection, coordination and criminal prosecution — and includes responsible stakeholders and partners involved in the implementation of the activities. Its implementation will be periodically evaluated in close consultation with all stakeholders involved in monitoring the status of its activities. The major judicial reform that is under way in Albania will further strengthen the foundations of the rule of law in our country. Let me reiterate that no country has ever undertaken such a profound, comprehensive and far-reaching reform in order to create the conditions for a more effective, accountable and transparent judicial system to better serve citizens while strengthening a fundamental pillar of democracy. As we carry on, it is proving to be a milestone in the fight against illicit activities, including human trafficking. In conclusion, trafficking in human beings is a grave violation of fundamental rights. It must not be tolerated, and it is our duty to fight it untiringly. Albania will continue to do its part.

Today’s meeting marks a critical milestone in the global fight against trafficking in persons. Trafficking in persons, including forced labour and slavery, is a serious form of organized crime, a grave violation of human rights and a challenge to sustainable development. Most of its victims are women and girls who are trafficked for sexual exploitation, and in Europe, one in four victims is a child. Regrettably, while some progress has been made, more needs to be done to prevent trafficking, address its root causes and end impunity. Iceland is strongly committed to playing its part in tackling all forms of trafficking and organized crime. We have taken several concrete measures to that effect, including, first, a national action plan that encompasses revisions to current legislation, regulations and administrative directives that are aimed at identifying victims and survivors; secondly, enhanced attention paid to protection and assistance for trafficking victims and survivors through a national referral mechanism that coordinates responses to suspected cases of human trafficking; and thirdly, amendments to the general criminal code provision on human trafficking to further increase the protection of victims and survivors and make prosecution easier. There has also been a strong emphasis on prevention, with a focus on awareness- raising, including among police and public prosecutors working in close cooperation with civil society, to help identify victims. Finally, while national measures are essential, human trafficking remains a global problem that requires a global response. That is particularly true now, in the context of the current pandemic, where we are seeing how heightened vulnerabilities, isolation and restricted access to assistance are increasing the risk of exploitation. It has therefore been deeply worrying to witness the recent large-scale instrumentalization of migrants for political purposes. Such behaviour and activities risk people’s lives and health and must cease immediately. All Member States must honour their obligations, and our Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7) underlines the importance of coherent international cooperation and responses in the global fight against trafficking.

Trafficking in persons, especially women and children, is among the most flagrant human rights violations facing the international community in the twenty-first century. Despite the multitude of counter-measures taken at various levels, human trafficking is a persistent challenge in every region of the world, and every year thousands of people become its victims. The coronavirus disease pandemic has exacerbated the challenges related to the identification process, on the one hand, and to the protection of victims on the other, while also impeding the implementation of effective preventive measures. We see traffickers adjusting to the new reality created by the pandemic, especially by taking advantage of modern communications technologies. The United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293) serves as a significant framework for promoting comprehensive, coordinated and consistent responses at the regional and international levels. In the same spirit, we welcome the adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). The fight against trafficking in persons remains a key priority for the Government of Georgia. Under the four Ps policy, our authorities are committed to taking effective measures to enhance prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership at both the national and international levels. Important anti-trafficking measures are being taken under the auspices of an inter-agency council chaired by the Minister of Justice. Georgia is currently implementing its 2021-2022 trafficking in persons action plan, which reflects most of the recommendations issued by the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United States, the Council of Europe and the various treaty bodies and special rapporteurs. The international assessments and positive rankings of Georgia’s anti-trafficking efforts are useful benchmarks for the revision and improvement of national policies. We fully recognize that international cooperation is essential to effectively fighting human trafficking. Georgia is a signatory to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and spares no effort to prevent trafficking, punish its perpetrators and protect their victims. The proactive identification of trafficking cases by Georgian law-enforcement authorities remains a key priority. Another positive development is the recent establishment of a special unit on forced labour under our labour inspection service. As a result of intensive community policing and proactive measures, the numbers of investigations, prosecutions and statutory victims are gradually increasing. The Government of Georgia provides victims and statutory victims with State-run services such as legal, medical and psychological assistance and compensation, as well as a crisis centre and shelter. The illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali/South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian Federation remains the main obstacle to our Government’s ability to enforce its counter-trafficking measures throughout the whole territory of Georgia. Unfortunately, there are no mechanisms in place to effectively identify, investigate and prosecute alleged cases of trafficking in persons in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia, and the occupying Power continues to place excessive restrictions on the local population, particularly ethnic Georgians, and to violate their fundamental rights. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our readiness and commitment to staying actively engaged in the global endeavour to effectively fight trafficking in persons.

I would like to make a few remarks on behalf of my country at this important forum in which we are discussing the scourge of human trafficking. As an acute challenge faced by the world today, human trafficking has a devastating impact on individual victims and leads to suffering in multiple forms. This ominous threat to humankind is becoming increasingly grave and has developed into a problem that transcends national boundaries. The time has come to meet the challenge and stem the tide. Yesterday, we heard cited the shocking figure of an estimated 25 million people who are subject to modern slavery in the form of forced labour or human trafficking around the globe (see A/76/PV.37). Those men, women and children are often migrant workers who are exploited in diverse sectors such as agriculture, mining, fishing, manufacturing, domestic work and forced sex work. Although the eradication of modern slavery is among the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the development of effective responses for preventing trafficking and assisting its victims remains a distant goal, elusive in the nascent field of health research. We believe that intensified efforts against trafficking require a greater understanding of the modifiable factors and causal pathways that lead to trafficking in different contexts and for different populations. Human trafficking frequently involves multiple forms of abuse, including deception, coercion, extortion, threats, and for many, physical or sexual violence. Human trafficking, as we heard again yesterday, is an estimated $150 billion industry and one of the fastest-growing transnational crimes of the twenty- first century. Trafficking may seem a distant problem or one that does not touch us personally. But if we think about it for a moment, it does not take long to realize that we unwittingly involve ourselves each time we purchase something made using exploited labour. I therefore want to reiterate before the Assembly that a collective effort must be made to eliminate this menace. Sri Lanka is of the view that strengthening initiatives through regional, subregional and cross- regional mechanisms and by partnering with the United Nations is vital at this juncture in order to contribute to developing and implementing sustainable initiatives to combat trafficking in persons. In that connection, Sri Lanka endorses and supports the implementation of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7) as well as the political declaration on the Global Plan of Action adopted in 2017 (resolution 72/1). In our increasingly secularized twenty-first-century world, the fight against human smuggling and human trafficking has been used by countries of destination primarily to further their own migration-control interests and border security. This has happened with little consideration for the well-being of the individuals affected, who are often fleeing situations of extreme violence and instability. Anti-trafficking measures have been justified on the grounds that they are in the migrants’ interest because they discourage the undertaking of such journeys and the engagement of the services of traffickers. The downside to that argument, however, is that such measures have made moving difficult for genuine asylum-seekers and migrants from jurisdictions with a poor human rights record. We therefore need to strike a balance between these competing interests as part of the common agenda that we have now put in place. I also want to take this opportunity to underscore that in eradicating this challenge, Sri Lanka has put in place a set of policies for greater collaboration with the United Nations and the international community. In supporting this global endeavour, we have given life to several legal frameworks, ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and signed the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Furthermore, we have given a broad definition to human trafficking in our criminal law through a 2006 act amending our penal code. Last but not least, as States we must do more to prevent people from falling victim to traffickers, protect those who are exploited, hold criminals to account and take concrete and immediate steps to combat this global menace. It is our hope that these deliberations will result in a meaningful outcome, that we will see a manifest and substantial reduction in the incidence of trafficking and that the insights we gain today will help us to build a future in which human trafficking is a practice of the past.

Nicaragua is pleased to be participating in this high- level meeting and in the adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). We reaffirm our commitments deriving from the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations on issues related to human rights, development, peace and security, and reiterate our firm condemnation of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, which constitutes a serious threat to human dignity and the development of our peoples. Trafficking in persons continues to be a serious problem for humankind and requires a concerted international response. We urge every State to work and implement effective measures to prevent, combat and eliminate all forms of trafficking in persons and to strengthen existing measures to eliminate the demand for trafficked persons as a means of protecting them. In these pandemic times, it is vital that we intensify our efforts and promote international solidarity and multilateralism so as to implement measures to eliminate human trafficking, including the resolutions adopted by our Organization aimed at improving coordination in combating this evil and at strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat human trafficking and protect its victims. Human trafficking is a global scourge, a product of the exclusion and inequity of the neoliberal system, which fosters inequality and puts profit above respect for human rights, thereby enabling the exploitation of human beings and discrimination among them thanks to an inhumane, unjust and corrupt system. We are deeply concerned about the fact that every year hundreds of women of all ages are deceived, kidnapped, mistreated and exploited by national, regional and international networks of traffickers and smugglers to meet growing demand in the sex industry and for cheap labour, both locally and in North America, Europe and countries around the world. For its part, on 28 January 2015, Nicaragua enacted law No. 896 against trafficking in persons, which regulates the various areas of the fight against it, from prevention and care for victims to investigation, prosecution and punishment. The law takes a human rights and gender-focused approach to victims and establishes new procedural provisions to streamline and speed up access to justice. Finally, we emphasize the need for a new social contract with a view to achieving a more loving world that promotes inclusion, equity and social justice in order to fulfil the international community’s primary commitment to fully eradicating this evil.

At the outset, I would like to thank the President for convening us on this important occasion. Ending human trafficking is a top priority for the Hungarian Government. We are deeply committed to supporting and empowering its survivors, preventing their victimization and bringing perpetrators to justice. Our efforts at the national level are implemented in the framework of our 2020-2023 national strategy against trafficking in human beings and 2020-2021 action plan for implementation of the strategy, and we are currently working on a subsequent action plan for the next two years. The strategy emphasizes those in particularly vulnerable situations, specifically children, juveniles and women, including young women in public care. People living in extreme poverty, especially women and girls of Roma origin, are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and raising awareness among them is therefore crucial. Fighting human trafficking requires coordinated efforts, and the anti-trafficking coordinator of Hungary’s Ministry of the Interior therefore heads two groups that hold regular meetings  — a National Coordination Mechanism, made up of all the relevant ministries and authorities, and an NGO Round Table, consisting of non-governmental organizations involved in combating trafficking and assisting victims. In 2019 we appointed senior supervisor officers for anti-trafficking at all county police headquarters to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the fight against trafficking in human beings and the investigation of related cases. In 2020 we amended our criminal code and our laws on child protection and offences involving minors, introducing more stringent regulations aimed at bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting child victims more effectively. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, awareness-raising training has continued for professionals involved in the fight against human trafficking, including investigators, prosecutors and judges, and as of June 2021, the training series had reached all 19 Hungarian counties and the capital. Several large-scale projects are currently being implemented, including a highly successful national awareness-raising campaign and the launch of a comprehensive victim assistance programme, both co-funded by the European Union’s Internal Security Fund. We look forward to engaging with Member States and all other stakeholders to share experiences and best practices and are eager to hear and learn from others as well.

At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to the President for convening this high-level meeting of the Assembly on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). My delegation welcomes yesterday’s consensus adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7), expertly facilitated by the Permanent Representatives of the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, whose efforts we commend. Although trafficking is a priority for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, it remains a grave challenge, as our porous maritime borders facilitate transnational crime despite the sterling efforts of local law- enforcement agencies. Our counter-trafficking strategy is therefore built on the recognition that effective border management, coupled with enhanced inter-agency coordination and international cooperation, is critical to the interdiction and suppression of trafficking. In that regard, the Counter-Trafficking Unit of Trinidad and Tobago has adopted several measures in alignment with the four Ps of the Global Plan of Action, including widespread public campaigns and outreach activities geared to better educating and protecting all people from the negative effects of human trafficking, targeting students, teachers, public officials and members of the private sector and civil society, as well as the migrant community. The protection of all victims of trafficking is further ensured through the provision of safe and comfortable accommodation for them without fear of deportation. Once formally adopted, our 2021-2023 national action plan will improve the coordination of inter-agency efforts to combat trafficking in persons and strengthen both prosecutorial effectiveness and the outcomes of human trafficking cases through legislative enhancements, in combination with the implementation of a raft of new provisions to expedite the consideration of cases in the courts. Given the complexity of trafficking’s operating methods and the channels through which it takes place, my Government takes an all-encompassing approach to combating trafficking in persons. The Counter-Trafficking Unit fosters and maintains close and transparent working relationships with several other Government agencies, including the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and the Department of Immigration, and with international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration, diplomatic missions, civil-society organizations and media outlets, in order to gather data to assess the full extent of this unlawful underground activity in our country and ensure that its perpetrators are brought to justice. As a small island developing State in this battle against powerful international criminal networks, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago fully understands the need for capacity-building, as well as the continued strengthening of regional and international partnerships. Accordingly, we have been an active participant in a number of regional and international round-table discussions and working-group meetings under the auspices of the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, INTERPOL and certain resident diplomatic missions. Notably, we have agreed to participate in a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) TRACK4TIP project, a regional counter-trafficking project being implemented by the UNODC regional office. In addition, our counter-trafficking staff routinely avail themselves of any training and development opportunities offered by international organizations. Recently our Counter- Trafficking Unit was commended by the INTERPOL General Secretariat for its work on a human trafficking case involving a transnational organized criminal network subject to an INTERPOL Blue Notice. This is testament to our continuing strong commitment to tackling and eradicating from our society this heinous criminal business activity, which robs people of their inherent dignity and human rights through criminal exploitation of the most vulnerable, leaving behind severely negative mental, economic and social consequences for victims and survivors. While we have made some progress, much more remains to be done. With the continued support of international partners, traditional and prospective, we are keen to take further decisive steps in the fight. I would therefore like to assure the President of Trinidad and Tobago’s unwavering dedication to tackling trafficking in persons through our continued application of the Global Plan of Action in our national policies, programmes and legislation.

I thank the President for convening this high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/291). The meeting is timely and relevant. Given the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on efforts to combat the scourge of trafficking in persons, this meeting is an opportunity to assess the progress made since the last review in 2017 and identify the challenges encountered, including emerging ones, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to address them. Trafficking in persons, especially women and children, is an assault on human dignity that the international community is not doing enough to combat and should therefore feel mortified about. Forcing women and children into sexual exploitation and servitude is the slavery of our modern age and should be treated with the same abhorrence. Traffickers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and we should endeavour to get ahead of them in our strategies and approaches. That requires our collective efforts. By its very nature, trafficking in persons transcends national and continental boundaries, since there are places of origin, transit and destination for all trafficked persons. Cooperation on the issue is imperative, as no country can address trafficking in persons on its own. We must emphasize the urgency of strengthening and standardizing national, regional and international legal assistance to combat trafficking in persons. The fight against trafficking in persons would be incomplete without combating the misuse of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes, including trafficking in persons. The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to playing its part in the fight against this vice. To that end, we are amending our trafficking in persons act in order to align it with the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Zimbabwe has an anti-trafficking interministerial committee that is mandated to draw up a national plan of action to highlight major national events involving trafficking in persons in order to curb the scourge. It is scheduled to be launched before the end of the year, and Zimbabwe is also in an advanced stage of ratifying the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air. Zimbabwe’s current national plan of action contains provisions for improved coordination and engagement with various stakeholders, including private voluntary organizations, to facilitate the uniformity and standardization of interventions. Our trafficking in persons law provides for the provision of shelter to victims of trafficking. To date, three safe centres have been established in three provinces, and there are plans to replicate them in all seven of our provinces. There are, however, some challenges hampering our efforts to fight trafficking in persons. We need to build capacity in the national institutions charged with combating trafficking and migrant smuggling. That includes providing law-enforcement officers, immigration officials, journalists, prosecutors and judicial officers with training in human trafficking, investigations and prosecutions. We are also planning to create a human trafficking database and to train its users by the first quarter of 2022 in order to help the Government enhance its capacity to detect and prevent trafficking in persons. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe conducted in-person public advocacy campaigns to educate and sensitize communities across the country about trafficking in persons. We have inevitably had to find alternative ways of continuing the campaigns, including through online platforms, owing to the COVID-19 lockdowns. This solution has its limitations, due to the limited access that many communities have to information and communications technologies, especially in rural areas. Zimbabwe is ready and willing to share its experience and to work with other countries to eradicate the scourge of trafficking in persons.

First of all, I would like to thank the President for holding this important high-level meeting of the General Assembly and to congratulate the co-facilitators, the Ambassadors of the Philippines and the Dominican Republic, on the Assembly’s adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). The Kingdom of Morocco has chosen to fight the crime of trafficking in persons from a global and human perspective, based on a holistic and modern approach focused on four axes — prevention, protection, assistance to victims and suppression of human trafficking. I would like to highlight some of our national efforts in that regard. First, in May 2019 we established a national commission for the coordination of measures to combat and prevent trafficking in persons. One of its mandates is to contribute to the establishment of a national plan and effective mechanisms to address the issue. Secondly, on 19 September 2016 we enacted a human trafficking law, drafted pursuant to our 2011 Constitution and in line with Morocco’s international commitments, which criminalizes human and sex trafficking and imposes prison sentences and fines. Thanks to the law, we have redoubled our efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers. Thirdly, in full compliance with the Marrakech Compact on Migration, Morocco has developed a programme for managing migration flows and fighting trafficking by strengthening integrated border management to limit irregular migration; reinforcing humanitarian assistance mechanisms for immigrants in emergency medical situations at the borders; organizing training sessions for security services on immigration, asylum and human trafficking issues; creating a specialized unit to fight human trafficking; and integrating all categories of vulnerable persons and potential victims, especially women and children, into our migration policy. Fourthly, an operational programme for the fight against trafficking and networks has been established within the framework of the national strategy on immigration and asylum. Fifthly, we are facilitating access to justice for complainants. Sixthly, support units for women and child victims of violence have been established within Morocco’s jurisdictions and are being constantly strengthened in order to protect the rights of victims of human trafficking and facilitate their access to judicial protection. Lastly, we have integrated a trafficking-in-persons dimension into sectoral public policies, set up a mechanism to identify and suppress criminal networks and established a procedure for transferring victims to reception and assistance centres run by social actors. Beyond the 80 bilateral judicial cooperation agreements we have signed, my country has ratified all international conventions and instruments related to human trafficking. We also maintain our strong commitment to and unwavering engagement with the United Nations mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights and the fight against trafficking in persons. Furthermore, Morocco has joined the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the International Organization for Migration and UNICEF. In that connection, Morocco has launched several initiatives to operationalize the objectives of the programme, including capacity- building, the creation of pools of experts in assistance and service, and training for social workers. In addition, we have put in place several cooperation and awareness-raising programmes at the regional and international levels. To cite only a few, we have a project to dismantle criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling in North Africa, launched in Rabat in October 2021 in partnership with UNODC and the European Union; a public awareness campaign for national partners and civil-society organizations on the fight against trafficking in persons, launched in partnership with the Office of the Public Prosecutor and the UN-Women multi-country office; the holding of awareness-raising days on human trafficking and migrant smuggling in 2020, in partnership with the European Union, UNODC and the Royal Police Institute; regional multidisciplinary training sessions for representatives of institutional departments organized in 2019 by UNODC in partnership with our Ministry for Human Rights; and human trafficking training for judicial and law-enforcement personnel, in partnership between the Moroccan Government and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In conclusion, we welcome the holding of this debate and reaffirm Morocco’s firm and resolute commitment to continuing its fight against all forms of trafficking in persons within the framework of effective, dynamic and rigorous regional and international cooperation as well as at the national level.

On behalf of my Government, I would like to thank the President for organizing this high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). We also want to thank the Permanent Representatives of the Dominican Republic and the Philippines for their tireless work in facilitating the discussion and negotiation of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7), which we adopted yesterday (see A/76/PV.37). Ethiopia is a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants. We also host close to 1 million refugees from several countries. This situation, coupled with demographic pressure and economic underdevelopment, is contributing to the increase in the intensity of human trafficking and smuggling. The tactics of the crime are also changing and challenging the basic social protection and law-enforcement mechanisms in place. The victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling are subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation and physical and psychological abuse, as well as inhumane living conditions and death. This happens not only on the routes to destinations but also in the prison cells of the wealthiest destination countries in the world. The quest for a better income is the main driver of migration through both legal and irregular channels. Migration through irregular channels contributes to the expansion of human trafficking and is partly the result of the elusive hopes spread by traffickers and their intermediaries about the opportunities of migration. Nor can we underestimate the expansion of technology and the role of social media in their efforts. As a party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Ethiopia has adopted successive laws aimed at the comprehensive prevention and suppression of this crime. Our most recently revised national proclamation on countering trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants covers criminalization, prosecution, prevention, protection, rehabilitation, compensation and international cooperation. It also lays out a comprehensive national institutional mechanism for fighting the crime of human trafficking. With regard to prevention, we are focused on poverty reduction and overall human development and have achieved encouraging results in recent years. In addition, we are making a concerted effort to create legal migration channels and positive labour situations in destination countries. We have done commendable work in that regard with some countries in the Middle East. We commend the countries that are making substantial changes and reforming their labour laws to accommodate changing circumstances and make migration more humane and mutually beneficial. We call on the rest to follow suit, as effective cooperation in labour mobility is key to curbing human trafficking. The other recurring and increasingly evident challenge we have been facing is the inhumane treatment of migrants in receiving countries and their mass deportation. In the past year we have been compelled to introduce an emergency repatriation programme for migrants due to the life-threatening problems they have faced in countries of destination, which are a manifestation of a lack of cooperation and of policies catering to victims of trafficking and migrant smuggling. We therefore call on migrants’ destination countries to be cognizant of the human factor and to respect the dignity of migrants, irrespective of their legal status. For its part, the Government of Ethiopia is fully committed to combating human trafficking and promoting international cooperation to curb this scourge. In that regard, we will take the United Nation Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons into account in the implementation of our national plan of action.

I have the honour to deliver a statement by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Mher Grigoryan. Owing to our time constraints, the full version of the statement will be made available on the eStatements portal. (spoke in Russian) “I am sincerely grateful for the invitation to participate in such a high-level meeting. Human trafficking in all its manifestations remains one of the most dangerous types of transnational organized crime and a gross violation of human rights that obliges us to take essential and urgent action both within individual States and at the regional and global levels. In that regard, I should note that the subject of today’s meeting reaffirms the international community’s willingness to jointly confront the challenges and threats that have intensified during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “The fight against human trafficking has always been at the heart of the Armenian Government’s efforts. Our policies on the issue are systematic and consistent. We have established institutional mechanisms for combating trafficking in human beings in various areas for many years. The Government has implemented five three-year national programmes since 2002 and is currently working on a sixth. A commission for combating trafficking in human beings has been operating since 2002, and in 2007 we set up a council that is currently chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister. Our sixth national programme was recently approved despite the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Government has continued to take measures even in emergency situations to ensure that the fight against trafficking in persons continues without interruption, paying particular attention to the vulnerability of such groups as the women, children and internally displaced persons who have been directly affected by the recent war unleashed in the region. “The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has established a commission for the identification of victims of trafficking and exploitation that grants monetary compensation to victims of trafficking. I should note that Armenia has also improved its legislation in this area. We adopted a decree covering the period from 2020 to 2022 to regulate the fight against human trafficking, and corresponding amendments to our new criminal code will enter into force on 1 July 2022, which will also enhance the effectiveness of measures to combat human trafficking. “I consider our State institutions’ successful cooperation and active participation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in this field a major achievement. In general, the fight against human trafficking is one of the best examples of cooperation between the Government and NGOs in Armenia. Our multi-agency approach is the key to our success at all levels and at all stages of the identification, referral, assistance and reintegration of victims, as well as the organization of their repatriation and safe return to their homelands. The needs and interests of the victims form the basis of our efforts, and strengthening preventive measures, especially regarding child trafficking, is a top priority. “At the same time, we are cognizant of the fact that efforts and measures aimed at combating human trafficking can be effective only if they are an integral part of comprehensive international efforts to eradicate this crime in the countries of origin, transit and destination of trafficking victims. In that regard, we believe it is essential to intensify cooperation within the United Nations and in other inter-State structures. I am deeply convinced that this meeting will serve that purpose in the context of implementing the General Assembly’s United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293) and the relevant resolutions.”

The Russian Federation attaches great importance to the implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 2010 as resolution 64/293. In that connection, we welcome the adoption during the opening segment (see A/76/PV.37) of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7). The practical implementation of both documents will promote a greater international understanding of the issue of trafficking in persons and a qualitative improvement in the cooperation among all parties involved in combating this criminal phenomenon. We also note the activities of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, set up at the initiative of Belarus with the aim of implementing the Global Plan of Action. Russia takes an active part in the Group’s work and supports steps taken to implement the agreements reached within its framework. Considering the transnational nature of the crimes associated with trafficking, it is crucial that we deepen international cooperation to combat it. However, that cooperation should be based on a clear recognition of the link between human trafficking and the persistent imbalances in the socioeconomic development of individual countries and regions, the growth of illegal migration flows and the increased activity of organized criminal networks. We believe firmly in the importance of tackling the root causes of human trafficking — the legalized sex industry in a number of countries and the steady demand for cheap and unregulated labour in countries that are consumers of live commodities, as well as the low standard of living of families with children, the feminization of poverty and female unemployment in countries of origin. At the same time, we need strict measures against criminal gangs, which are the main organizers or intermediaries in illegal transactions involving live commodities. We believe that only such a comprehensive approach, involving prevention, assistance to victims and the firm principle of the inevitability of punishment, can ensure effective results. Although the issue of combating human trafficking is on the agenda of many international organizations and is regularly discussed in various forums, we are in favour of maintaining the leading role of the United Nations in this area. In that connection, we note the consistent efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In practical terms, we would like to see the United Nations and other international and regional organizations providing Member States with the most concrete assistance possible in resolving their existing problems, while taking due account of the interests of countries both of origin and destination. At the same time, any national projects to combat trafficking in human beings should be implemented exclusively at the request of the State Governments concerned. Every State has the right to determine for itself the most suitable mechanism for countering trafficking. The Russian Federation is eager to address the problem of trafficking in human beings comprehensively and inclusively, and we support constructive, substantive dialogue on all related issues. We firmly believe that significant results can be achieved only with sufficient political will, the combined efforts of Governments, the private sector and civil society, and balanced attention to States’ interests.

I now give the floor to the observer of the Holy See. Monsignor Hansen (Holy See): The Holy See is pleased to participate in this high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). The Holy See welcomes the consensus adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7) at the opening of this high-level meeting (see A/76/PV.37). It is a sign of the international community’s renewed commitment to preventing and combating trafficking in persons and includes important points on root causes, the protection of victims, notably children, as well as trafficking and international migration. Despite many positive elements, the Holy See regrets that the Declaration contains controversial language on sexual and reproductive health-care services and unclear language related to gender. The reservations presented by the Holy See at the International Conference on Population and Development and the World Conference on Women therefore apply to those terms. Further implementing the Global Plan of Action requires an evaluation of the progress that has been made and the remaining gaps affecting the four objectives that underpin it. That assessment is particularly challenging, owing to the lack of reliable global estimates of the number of victims. Despite the increasing number of States that have developed national data-collection systems on trafficking in persons in recent decades, global data is still limited, a fact that unfortunately weakens the possibility of achieving more effective international action. The coronavirus disease pandemic has made our efforts even more complex, as it has made victims more isolated and less visible, while its socioeconomic consequences have exacerbated the vulnerability of those most at risk of being trafficked. Children, especially those from extremely poor households and those without parental care, continue to account for about one third of trafficking victims detected, especially in the poorest countries, where trafficking is linked to the broader problem of child labour. The impact of the pandemic on school closures has further added millions of children to the ranks of those vulnerable to trafficking. Women and girls still constitute the vast majority of victims. They are trafficked, sold, coerced or subjected to conditions of slavery in various forms and in various sectors, particularly sex trafficking. Eradicating practices such as pornography and prostitution is a crucial part of the fight against trafficking, as numerous data and studies have confirmed beyond doubt that they contribute to trafficking. Despite the alarming situation and the many challenges we face, there has been significant progress in a number of crucial areas. First, many of the factors that make people vulnerable to human trafficking have been more clearly identified, and comprehensive policies and programmes to address them have been formulated. Secondly, there is growing awareness and legal recognition that victims should not be punished or prosecuted for acts that they may have committed as a direct consequence of being trafficked. Thirdly, there have also been significant advances in establishing the legal norms needed to investigate, prosecute and punish traffickers. Finally, partnerships among States and relevant stakeholders have been strengthened. In many parts of the world cooperation among local authorities, national Governments and faith-based organizations is particularly crucial. In that regard, the impressive work of religious sisters, such as, for instance, the Talitha Kum networks present in 92 countries and on six continents, has helped to address the root causes of trafficking, care for victims and collaborate with law- enforcement authorities in the fight against trafficking and other forms of modern slavery.

I now give the floor to the representative of the League of Arab States.

We are meeting today to assess the progress made by the United Nations in the fight against trafficking in persons and to exchange experiences, including successes, in the face of this heinous problem, which is worsening despite the agreed Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293) and the significant efforts of States and partners to address it, in the growing conviction that this phenomenon violates basic human rights. It is deplorable that the figures in the reports of various United Nations bodies, most recently the 2020 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, show that the numbers of child victims of trafficking have increased by 30 per cent. Half of the victims identified were also victims of sexual exploitation, and 38 per cent were exploited through forced labour. It is therefore vital that we intensify our collective efforts and expand our cooperation and partnerships among States, international and regional organizations, civil-society organizations and the private sector in order to step up preventive efforts in countries of origin, transit and destination, including by strengthening cooperation between the national focal points in those States and others. In its belief in the importance of respecting, strengthening and protecting human rights, the League of Arab States has intensified its efforts at several levels to create an Arab anti-trafficking system and strengthen human rights in the Arab world. The system is founded on a constructive partnership among all the relevant stakeholders, that is, Governments, civil society and the private sector. It builds on international strategies adopted and implemented by the United Nations that align with the cultural, religious, ethnic and social specificities of the members of the League of Arab States. In order to promote cooperation with the United Nations in addressing violations of human rights, the Arab League has supported the implementation of the Global Plan of Action and supports and coordinates the activities undertaken by the Arab States to implement the Plan in the context of those four areas. The Arab League is also working to increase the United Nations voluntary trust fund for victims of human trafficking and urges its member States to be generous in contributing to it. We participate in various United Nations activities and mechanisms in this area. The League also maintains a strong partnership and close collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and its subsidiary bodies and structures. We commend the efforts of our member States to support the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. We should point out that during the most recent reporting period, the Comoros acceded to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia have responded to United Nations requests by presenting detailed written reports on their efforts to combat trafficking in persons. The League has also made joint and coordinated efforts in that regard for the past 20 years. There is no question that the coronavirus disease pandemic is among the current global challenges aggravating the expansion of human trafficking, and it has spread in tandem with a significant increase in our Arab region in the activities of human trafficking networks, which continue to exploit the pandemic, as well as disputes, revolutions and conflicts, in a number of Arab States in furthering their evil purposes, sometimes in coordination with transnational or transcontinental foreign parties. Despite the political sensitivity regarding the current grave situation on the Belarus-Poland border, where Arab migrants from Syria, Iraq and other conflict zones are suffering, the situation demands that the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs study the complex links between the pandemic, conflict, migration and human trafficking. It may make it necessary to re-examine the issue of migration, on which we failed to reach a global agreement, in order to arrive at a consensus such as those we have on the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

We have heard the last speaker for this segment. In accordance with resolution 75/283, we will now hear presentations of summaries by the Chairs of the two panel discussions. I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, the Chair of the first panel discussion.

I had the honour to chair the first panel discussion of this high-level meeting, entitled “The Global Plan of Action and enduring trafficking issues and gaps including, inter alia, the trafficking of women and children, particularly girls, for the purpose of sexual exploitation”. In the discussion, speakers were invited to discuss the long-standing challenges that we continue to confront in our counter-trafficking efforts. They were also asked to reflect on why those issues persist and how we should fill the remaining gaps in our responses. I would like to reiterate my thanks to the three panellists who guided our discussions, as well as the Member States, observers of the General Assembly and all interested parties for their contributions to yesterday’s discussion. I am pleased to present the following summary of the panel discussion. First, many speakers representing Member States reaffirmed their Governments’ commitment to preventing and combating trafficking in persons. Many emphasized that prevention is one of the most important aspects of an effective strategy to combat trafficking and noted that vulnerability is a critical factor in driving human trafficking, with many intersecting areas, and that vulnerability is worsened by poverty, marginalization, discrimination and social inequalities. Other speakers stressed that reducing the core vulnerabilities and underlying social inequities within States should be a priority and expressed the concern that the coronavirus disease pandemic is exacerbating those circumstances. Numerous speakers acknowledged the importance of addressing the root causes of trafficking in persons, noting that poverty and structural and social disadvantages are some of its key drivers and emphasizing the need to strengthen our collective response to the socioeconomic and structural issues that make human trafficking possible. One speaker suggested that laws alone cannot solve the problem of trafficking in persons and that it is essential rather to address root causes, noting that our global common goods are not equitably available to everyone around the world. Many expressed deep concern about the continued exploitation of women and girls in particular and noted its explicit linkages with gender-based violence and sexual discrimination. One expert emphasized that the trafficking of women and girls is rooted in broader gender inequalities that are manifest in the lives of women and girls in many ways, and that domestic violence and other forms of violence can increase women’s risk of being trafficked, noting that a better understanding of the linkages between gender-based violence against women and girls will enable us to better prevent human trafficking. Another expert emphasized the role of social norms and beliefs, including male domination and men’s control over women, and also underlined the importance of working to change people’s beliefs and norms from an early age in order to address such broader inequalities. The expert also observed that there are common key drivers of violence against women and girls, including human trafficking, and that anti-trafficking efforts should draw lessons from the various practices used to address other forms of violence. However, some speakers cautioned against gender stereotyping and pointed to the need to address the problem of the potential invisibility of men and boy survivors of trafficking, especially trafficking for sexual exploitation. Many drew attention to the situation of migrants, who continue to face marginalization and heightened vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking in persons. One speaker expressed the view that the instrumentalization of migration as a political weapon is unacceptable. In the context of mass migration movements, several speakers underlined the importance of improving victim identification and of education and awareness-raising in the promotion of self-identification, as well as the need to accelerate the provision of services to victims. Many emphasized the importance of ensuring that all counter-trafficking strategies are victim- and survivor-informed and centre around the needs of victims and survivors. They pointed to the importance of including victims and survivors in the consideration of all prevention and protection strategies. Some speakers expressed concerns about the continuing and increasing trafficking of children. One expert emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of families and communities when considering strategies to prevent and protect children from trafficking in persons, and that of education and awareness-raising in communities to protect children who are being targeted by traffickers, especially in addressing the needs of the families of especially vulnerable children, including migrants and children with disabilities. The speaker emphasized the importance of providing long-term, trauma-informed care as well as access to essential services. Some emphasized that impunity is still a continuing problem, especially as traffickers modify their approaches in response to evolving technology and the pandemic, saying that greater efforts are needed to train law-enforcement officials and use technology to enhance investigations and prosecutions. It was observed that trafficking in persons is a profit- making business, and it is important to cooperate in finding strategies to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable. Some speakers drew attention to the importance of the principle of not punishing victims, noting that victims of trafficking in persons are often implicated in the violations committed against them and treated as offenders. They emphasized that the protection of victims includes ensuring their access to justice, which in turn requires sustained resources and capacity development, as well as improved international cooperation aimed at ending persistent impunity for traffickers. Other speakers acknowledged the importance of financial regulations and of carrying out effective financial investigations alongside investigations of human trafficking offences. Several speakers noted the importance of following money flows. One speaker emphasized the importance of empowering survivors by restoring financial credit and ensuring financial health, while others discussed the need to seize the assets of traffickers and others involved in the crime of trafficking and to use them to pay for restitution to victims or for other counter-trafficking efforts. In this respect, it was emphasized that States should work collaboratively to seize profits and hold traffickers accountable across borders. Some acknowledged the importance of regulating business conduct in relation to trafficking in global value chains at the international, regional and national levels. In that respect, a speaker noted the importance of cooperation between agencies responsible for finance and those responsible for human rights, and of regularly involving financial regulators in inter-agency and intergovernmental bodies on trafficking in persons. Several speakers talked about the importance of fostering partnerships with actors in the financial and private sectors, noting the multisectoral nature of the crime. One speaker acknowledged the importance of investment in education. Finally, numerous speakers expressed their commitment to supporting anti-trafficking efforts and uniting in the fight against this heinous crime. Many noted that trafficking in persons is a serious violation of human rights that must be eliminated and that action must be taken, expressing their determination to see efforts redoubled and saying that we can succeed in combating trafficking in persons only if we work cooperatively and collaboratively. I thank the President of the General Assembly for the opportunity to moderate this panel discussion. It was a pleasure to lead such an informative and spirited exchange of insights. I hope that our discussions yesterday will continue beyond this meeting and foster continued discussion on how we can collectively tackle the long-standing challenges related to trafficking in persons.

I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Chair of the second panel discussion.

I had the honour to chair the second panel discussion of this high-level meeting, entitled “The Global Plan of Action and emerging issues, such as trafficking in persons, in the context of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the misuse of information and communications technologies to facilitate trafficking, including trafficking of children for the purpose of sexual exploitation on the Internet”. The speakers in the second panel were invited to consider the emerging issues in this area, specifically the impact of COVID-19 and the misuse of information and communications technology (ICTs) in the fight against trafficking in persons. In the face of a rapidly changing landscape exacerbated by global issues, including COVID-19, mass migration, climate change and others, we see that the modes of trafficking and forms of exploitation continue to evolve. I want to express my gratitude to our three panellists for their very insightful remarks, as well as the Member States, observers of the General Assembly and representatives of academia, non-governmental organizations and United Nations and international organizations for their contributions. I am pleased to present the following summary of our panel discussion. Many speakers acknowledged the significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had in exacerbating existing social inequities and heightening people’s vulnerability to trafficking in persons. One expert noted that the pandemic has highlighted the close link between exploitation and economic need. Many speakers were concerned about the fact that the exacerbation of structural economic inequities is translating into an increase in the trafficking and abuse of women and girls, workers in informal labour markets and migrants. Many expressed deep concern about the rise of child trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and especially for the production of child sexual-abuse material, expressing a strong resolve to address this with urgency, including by deploying creative and innovative methods to track down traffickers and hold all actors in the human trafficking chain accountable. They noted with concern that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to children being out of school, thereby facing greater exposure to the risk of recruitment and exploitation, particularly online. A number of speakers expressed grave concern about the changing business models employed by traffickers, particularly the significant rise in the misuse of information and communications technologies. Several observed that technology was being used by traffickers to recruit and exploit victims of trafficking, particularly for the purpose of online sexual exploitation. Many speakers also acknowledged that ICTs had created additional challenges in the counter-trafficking response by enabling traffickers to operate at lower cost and lower risk and by enhancing their anonymity and ability to evade detection. Some speakers noted with optimism the potential positive uses of information and communications technologies in the fight against trafficking in persons. Many emphasized the need to invest further resources and make use of technology to reach those most vulnerable to human trafficking, identify trafficking victims, detect potential incidents of trafficking in persons and enhance the ability of law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute traffickers. One speaker noted the value of a country’s financial intelligence unit in identifying potential suspicious transactions in support of investigations by law-enforcement agencies and prosecutions of human trafficking cases. Some offered suggestions about promising practices that employ technology and innovative partnerships in their counter-trafficking responses. Several speakers acknowledged the importance of developing strategic partnerships with the private sector, in particular technology companies, to find solutions to the crime of human trafficking and address the proliferation of the misuse of ICTs in recruiting and exploiting victims of trafficking. One expert also noted the promising use of e-justice, when legally permitted, to provide access to justice for survivors of trafficking, a development that has accelerated during the pandemic. Some speakers acknowledged the need to balance the potentially beneficial deployment of technology with the need to protect human rights, especially concerns about data privacy. An expert emphasized the need to conduct due diligence on the use of technology in counter-trafficking responses, noting the importance of providing appropriate training on the ethical use of technology and giving proper consideration to how to identify and mitigate the potentially negative human rights impact of its use. Another expert emphasized the need to actively engage the beneficiaries, victims and survivors of human trafficking, as well as front- line providers, in the design and use of technological tools to ensure that they are fit for purpose. She further acknowledged that many civil-society organizations that could benefit from the use of technology often lack the resources to deploy them sustainably. Several speakers noted the impact of the climate crisis and climate displacement on trafficking in persons, particularly the exploitation of women and girls. One noted that vulnerabilities caused by poverty and socioeconomic disadvantages are compounded by environmental disasters and emphasized the importance of considering the link between the climate crisis and trafficking in persons. The speaker further emphasized that human trafficking is a nexus issue, relevant to many areas of development work, and therefore should be expressly included in the design and implementation of development policies. One speaker noted with deep concern the inadequacy of the response to organ trafficking, pointing out that it is a global problem that is highly profitable for traffickers and targets the most vulnerable. One expert acknowledged that this is an issue that is underreported and requires more data collection and analysis. Lastly, many expressed their strong commitment to continuing to work collectively to find innovative solutions to the complex and changing crime of human trafficking. I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly for the opportunity to moderate this panel discussion. The landscape of human trafficking is constantly evolving, and we must adapt quickly and strategically to counter it. I hope that our discussions yesterday will encourage all of us to consider how we can work more innovatively, partner more effectively and adapt our responses quickly in our fight against trafficking in persons.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and commend the two co-Chairs for their excellent work in achieving the adoption of the Political Declaration on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 76/7) and for moderating the two important panel discussions. The exercise of the right of reply has been requested. I would like to remind delegations that statements in exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and five minutes for the second and should be made by representatives from their seats.

Following the remarks that the representative of Turkey made earlier, we would like to reiterate what the Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece stated yesterday (see A/76/PV.37). Among other things, he underscored that human trafficking is one of the major challenges facing the global community. Greece remains committed to achieving the main goals under the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). The instrumentalization of migrants for political motives, however, sends vulnerable people such as women and children into the hands of traffickers. For years now we have been on the front lines on our land and maritime borders, which are also external borders of the European Union. In the Aegean Sea, we have become familiar with the inhumane practices of human traffickers supported or encouraged by the authorities of third countries. We have saved thousands of human lives at sea and are determined to continue doing so. As long as human trafficking is permitted or encouraged by third parties, it is vital to uphold our humanity and do everything we can for the victims. Today we must send the message that cooperation and understanding among neighbouring countries are crucial.

We apologize to all delegations and observers for the fact that the delegation of the European Union (EU) and certain of its member States have lost any sense of measure and respect for all those present here, including the victims of trafficking in persons, and persist in the harmful practice of hijacking various events to attack Belarus. The EU and Poland are prepared to sacrifice this valuable event and our valuable time for short-term political motives. It is extremely regrettable that the topic of trafficking has become a cynical instrument of the foreign policy of Poland, which has also drawn the European Union into its adventurist manoeuvres. We hope that the delegations that are committed to this topic will express their concerns to those delegations. The use of such methods in the work of the United Nations is unacceptable. We have all heard these identical and unfounded accusations against Belarus, and Belarus’s informed, fact-based responses in exercise of its right of reply (see A/76/PV.37). Belarus continues to investigate and assess the situation on the border with Poland. We described earlier the various schemes used by the citizens of Lithuania and Poland to organize migration channels. But today we have new evidence that the authorities of Poland and Lithuania have used chemicals and pesticides in the water cannons that they have been directing at migrants on their borders in freezing conditions. We have a trove of audio and video materials confirming that they have used tear gas and stun grenades on migrants, sicced dogs on them and deprived them of sleep using deafening sirens and low- flying helicopters late at night. Victims are also shown being brutally beaten and tortured by Lithuanian and Polish border officials. We have already published some of those videos, and Belarus will continue to inform Member States about the facts of violations of international law on the border with Lithuania and Poland. As for the statement of the European Commissioner for Home Affairs about the situation inside Belarus (see A/76/PV.37), we would like to remind the Commissioner that Belarus is not a member State of the EU. We have not asked for comments on our domestic policy, nor do we need them. Poland and Lithuania, and, following their example, the European Union as well, have tried to derail the work on resolution 76/7, on trafficking in persons, as well as today’s high-level event to appraise the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (resolution 64/293). We sincerely regret that the European Union has taken such a counterproductive position and has put its political interests ahead of the international efforts to combat this terrible crime. In spite of all of Poland and Lithuania’s obvious attempts to use the authority of the EU as cover for their efforts to use migration for their own political purposes, Belarus will continue to alert the Member States of the United Nations to confirmed cases of violations of international law along the border with Poland and Lithuania and to inform the international community of the Belarusian authorities’ efforts to resolve the issue in a transparent and open manner.

I will now deliver some closing remarks on behalf of the President of the General Assembly. “This concludes the high-level meeting of the General Assembly for the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. I would like to thank everyone for their participation. I am deeply grateful to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Secretariat for their support in organizing this important meeting and facilitating its arrangements. I would also like to thank the Permanent Representatives of the Dominican Republic and the Philippines for moderating the two interactive panels and presenting the summaries of the discussions in this closing plenary. “In the past two days, as we have taken stock of our progress in implementing the Global Plan of Action, we have heard from Member States, leading experts in the field and stakeholders representing a wide range of sectors. We have also heard from survivors, many of whom have joined the fight against trafficking in persons, bringing with them their unique and critical perspectives and their bravery and determination. “While the discussions have been robust and broad, a few key themes have been present throughout. They include the importance of staying vigilant, adapting and innovating to meet the evolving nature of the crime; mobilizing a whole-of- society approach to developing comprehensive frameworks that can address the complex and interplaying factors that contribute to the crime; combating socioeconomic iniquities and prejudices that marginalize and render communities more vulnerable to trafficking, while paying attention to how the coronavirus disease pandemic has compounded those existing challenges; recognizing trafficking for the horrific human rights violation that it is; and listening to survivors and integrating their perspectives into policy and advocacy. “Those considerations and priorities should guide us in our work over the next four years in the lead-up to the next iteration of this high-level meeting. It is my sincere hope that all who have participated have benefited from our discussions and that their outcomes will spur further efforts to combat this crime. Human trafficking remains one of the great evils of modern times, and its continued existence is a stain on humankind’s collective conscience. As we recover from a devastating pandemic, we must look ahead to a safer, more just and equitable future. Human trafficking must not be a part of that future. Let us come together as a global community to hold perpetrators accountable, deliver justice to their victims and empower survivors. Together, let us end human trafficking.” I declare closed the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 108.