UN thanks Belarus for its efforts to combat human trafficking

MINSK, 30 May (BelTA) – Belarus deserves praise for its efforts to combat human trafficking, Mr Yury Fedotov, UN Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, BelTA learned.

Mr Yury Fedotov thanked the President for his constant many-year support for the UN efforts towards combating trafficking in human beings. He noted that Belarus initiated the UN Group of Friends who got united in the fight against trafficking in human beings and was also the initiator of the global plan of action to combat trafficking in human beings adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010. He stressed that the UN attaches great importance to these issues. In particular, two weeks ago New York hosted high-level events to discuss the ways of increasing the efficiency of international cooperation in the fight against trafficking in human beings.

“Belarus’ voice is authoritative, and taken into account. This in general promotes the country’s image on the world stage within the United Nations,” the UN Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said.

Yury Fedorov noted that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked to convey to Belarus his highest appreciation of its efforts in this area.