Declaration On Global Efforts to Fight Human Trafficking adopted

Under Belarus’ initiative the Group of Friends, in its ministerial meeting, adopted a declaration On Global Efforts to Fight Human Trafficking at the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei chaired the ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends united to combat trafficking in human beings. The interstate group coordinated by Belarus comprises 22 countries. Partaking in the meeting, apart from the foreign ministers of the Group of Friends member states, was UN Deputy Secretary General, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Yuri Fedotov, UN Deputy Secretary General, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet, Director General of the International Organization for Migration William Swing.

Speaking at the meeting, the Belarusian Foreign Minister stressed that efficient fight against human trafficking needs a comprehensive approach and better coordination of actions among all the partners. Vladimir Makei called upon the participants of the meeting to unite efforts and resources for eradication of trafficking in human beings, including in the scope of the forthcoming review of the UN Global Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons. The participants of the meeting adopted Belarus-initiated declaration On Global Efforts to Fight Human Trafficking which outlined further joint steps of the Group of Friends and international organizations in this direction.