As delivered
Closing remarks for the Informal Interactive Multi-stakeholder in support of the preparatory process towards the High-level Plenary Meeting to Review the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons
23 June 2017
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s Informal Interactive Multi-stakeholder Hearing has proven to be a rich and dynamic discussion on the international community’s work to implement the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, and steps we can take to strengthen this effort.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants, including the guest speakers, panellists, and representatives of Member States, civil society, academia, the private sector, and of course the UN system, in particular the members of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons.
Throughout today’s Hearing, all participants spoke of the importance of the Global Plan of Action to combatting trafficking in persons, but acknowledged that more needed to be done to implement it effectively.
And in this regard, a number of key messages emerged throughout the day.
Firstly, a clarion call was heard across all the multi-stakeholder panels for pursuing a victim and survivor-centred approach to combatting trafficking. An approach that prioritises the human rights of victims and survivors, places them at the centre of efforts to shape policy and operational responses, and ensures adequate support for survivors’ long-term reintegration and recovery.
They underlined the need for greater attention to be given to understanding the root causes of trafficking in persons and of addressing these causes through comprehensive approaches that, in particular, leverage efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The panels called for greater investment in educating people on trafficking in order to broaden global awareness of the scale, risks and challenges, and to reduce its stigma.
They spoke of the need for greater partnership and coordination in our work, underscoring the important role of civil society, academia, and the private sector in supporting prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts.
They acknowledged the need for specific measures to be taken to address trafficking in persons that results from conflict, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters, as well as to address the particular vulnerabilities faced by migrants and refugees.
The panels addressed the emergence of new forms of trafficking in persons, and highlighted the potential role of innovation and technology to help in responding to these challenges.
They stressed the need to ensure accountability and justice for the crime of trafficking, with greater attention and resources on pursuing the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators.
The importance of victims of trafficking not being treated as criminals was also emphasized, with law enforcement trained to recognise and respond to them as victims.
And above all, they affirmed the criticality of political will to pursue multifaceted approaches ending the crime of trafficking in persons.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The experiences and expertise that have been shared today have greatly enriched our understanding of how best we can pursue our fight against trafficking in persons.
To support this ongoing dialogue, in the coming weeks my Office will prepare a President’s Summary of today’s meeting which will be transmitted to all Member States.
The President’s summary will also serve as an input to help inform the intergovernmental consultations on a political declaration to be adopted at the High-Level Meeting to Review the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons to be held here in New York in September.
In closing, I once again thank everyone for their participation today.
I sincerely hope these discussions will be seen as a launching point in our efforts to further strengthen the implementation of the Global Plan of Action.
I thank you.