Vietnam affirms commitment and determination in cooperation to prevent and combat human trafficking

Vietnam calls on countries to take joint actions, based on common commitments, common awareness and common goals, to create a safe and legal migration environment for the rights and interests of migrants.

Conference delegates take souvenir photo. (Photo: Xuan Son)

From July 16-18, in Hanoi, the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the New Zealand Immigration Authority, co-organized the Joint Action Phase 2023-2024 Conference and the annual meeting of the Working Group on Dismantling People Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Networks (Working Group) within the framework of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime.

The events were attended by nearly 60 delegates from member countries of the Working Group (Vietnam, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Maldives...) and representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Mr. Doan Hoang Minh, Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that in the context of rapid migration, it is necessary to more effectively resolve the complex challenges that come with the migration process, such as the problem of criminals abusing technology to illegally migrate and human trafficking; fraud about job opportunities abroad; poverty, inequality, conflict, demographic imbalance, climate change, etc.

Over the past two years, there has been a rise in organised crime in the region that has brought people to online casinos to coerce them into committing illegal acts, many of whom have become victims of trafficking. According to IOM, legal migration channels for migrants from developing countries have been significantly narrowed.

Believing that no country can solve these challenges on its own, Mr. Doan Hoang Minh suggested that countries take joint actions, based on common commitments, common awareness and common goals to create a safe and legal migration environment for the rights and interests of migrants, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

The Director of the Consular Department highly appreciated New Zealand's role in leading the Working Group as well as supporting Vietnam in its co-chair role; believing that the Conference will identify a new phase of joint action, responding well to the concerns and priorities of member countries, in line with the Adelaide Strategy 2023 and the Bali Process.

Mr. Doan Hoang Minh, Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening speech at the Conference. (Photo: Xuan Son)

Speaking at the event, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford said that in May 2024, Wellington redefined its foreign policy to focus more on Southeast Asia (along with the Pacific) and promote close cooperation with partners in the region.

In Vietnam, in line with the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, New Zealand's common goal is to cooperate for the benefit of the people, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity of each country, the region and the world, based on the pillars of information sharing and enhanced cooperation in preventing and combating people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crimes.

Appreciating the role of the Bali Process, the New Zealand Ambassador said that this is a testament to the collective effort to combat illegal migration and human trafficking; affirming the commitment to continue supporting the Bali Process as well as promoting cooperation with partners to maintain the principles and goals of the Process. At the same time, Ms. Caroline Beresford highly appreciated Vietnam's role as co-chair of the Working Group from 2020 to present.

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford highly appreciated Vietnam's role as co-chair of the Working Group from 2020 to present. (Photo: Xuan Son)

The event took place over 3 days, focusing on the main contents: evaluating the achieved results and drawing lessons and good practices after 12 months of implementing the Joint Action Phase 2023-2024; summarizing the activities of the Working Group in the past year and discussing directions and priorities for activities in the coming time.

On the first day, Ms. Phan Thi Minh Giang, Deputy Director General of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave an introduction on preventing exploitation and protecting vulnerable people; Ms. Kylie Seumanu, Director General, Immigration New Zealand, presented on the situation of illegal migration and human trafficking in New Zealand; representatives of New Zealand and Sri Lanka updated the results of the implementation of the Joint Action Phase 2023-2024.

On the second day, Ms. Park Mi-hyung, Chief of Mission of IOM in Viet Nam, shared about protecting vulnerable communities during migration and addressing the causes of irregular migration. The conference is also expected to discuss solutions for effective implementation of the next Joint Action Phase based on lessons learned and practices from the Joint Action Phase 2023-2024.

The final day of the meeting will feature presentations by two experts from the Irish National Police and the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam on human trafficking crimes to Ireland and the prevention and control of illegal immigration and migration between Vietnam and other countries.

Held in the context of the upcoming World Day against Trafficking in Persons and Vietnam's National Day against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), this Conference is a strong affirmation of Vietnam's commitment and determination in strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat human trafficking and promptly protect victims of trafficking.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-khang-dinh-cam-ket-va-quyet-tam-trong-hop-tac-phong-chong-mua-ban-nguoi-278871.html