Dear Members.
From 18 to 19 April 2023, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be hosting the 23rd Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons. The Conference will provide an in-depth look at the nature and scale of the problem of human trafficking and focus on why strong political will and action is needed to overcome one of the greatest societal challenges of our time.
The Alliance will also showcase examples of national leadership and ground-breaking efforts in combating trafficking in human beings within the OSCE region.Although human trafficking is the third largest criminal activity in the world, and despite it being among the most widespread human rights violations across the OSCE region, resources allocated to combat it remains disproportionately low, considering the harm it causes to individuals and societies. At the same time, in recent years trafficking has evolved significantly, moving more and more online for example, and taking on new forms, while its pervasiveness and scale have increased exponentially.
Against this backdrop, there is an urgent need for anti-trafficking leadership to scale up national investment and action, including by equipping States with the necessary structures and laws to effectively combat trafficking in human beings in the modern day.
The conference will frame the nature and scale of the problem of human exploitation and why strong leadership is necessary to overcome the challenges. To this end, the discussion will aim to highlight positive examples of anti-trafficking leadership across the OSCE region, including a discussion on anti-trafficking leadership led by survivors.
The conference will also explore solutions, analyzing the most effective anti-trafficking laws, and policies. It will also draw attention to the systems and structures needed in each country to effectively combat human trafficking,
The outcome of the Conference will be a renewed impetus across the OSCE region toward eradicating trafficking in human beings and a roadmap for success in the next 20 years of the OSCE Action Plan.