ISLAMABAD - A two-day third regional meeting on human trafficking and migrant smuggling routes began in Islamabad on Thursday under the supervision of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to discuss the emerging routes and challenges related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the region.
UNODC Office in Pakistan brought together senior law enforcement officials from Bahrain, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan to meet and discuss the emerging routes and challenges related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the region. The participants deliberated upon practical solutions for enhancing information sharing amongst the regional countries.
Cesar Guedes, the UNODC Representative in Pakistan, addressed the opening session. He said, "this form of crime exploits and victimises millions around the world each year, countries in the region need to work together to devise an effective strategy for eliminating human trafficking and migrant smuggling".
Guedes concluded his speech by reiterating the importance of the need to fight this global menace and the urgency to find regional solutions as it affects the lives of millions around the globe especially women and children. He assured that UNODC office in Pakistan would continue to support and strengthen the efforts of the Government of Pakistan in eliminating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
The opening session also witnessed the presence of several ambassadors including the Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward along with the members of the diplomatic community.
As part of United Nations' global fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling under its global plan of action, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has committed to enhancing cooperation amongst regional stakeholders, a spokesperson of UNODC said.