New York, 12 December 2024 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) unveiled its 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons at a high-profile event held at the UN Headquarters. The report, which covers data from 156 countries, highlights alarming trends in human trafficking and underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation and victim support.
Key Findings Highlight Rising Child Trafficking and Forced Labor
Delphine Schantz, Representative of the UNODC Liaison Office in New York, opened the event by presenting the report’s key findings. She noted a significant rise in child trafficking, particularly girls trafficked for sexual exploitation, and an increase in forced labor. Schantz emphasized the inadequacy of current criminal justice responses and highlighted recent UN resolutions addressing various aspects of trafficking, including those facilitated by the Philippines and Spain.
Progress and Challenges Outlined by UNODC Executive Director
In a video message, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly highlighted both progress and ongoing challenges in combating human trafficking. She reported a 36% increase in trafficker convictions and a 25% rise in detected victims since 2019. Waly stressed the continued vulnerability of women and girls and the diversification of cross-border trafficking flows, with African citizens representing 31% of cases. She also addressed the exploitation of technology by criminal networks and called for enhanced cooperation and victim protection.
Member States Reflect on National Efforts and Challenges
Representatives from various member states shared their reflections on the report and their national efforts to combat trafficking:
Insights from International Organizations and Civil Society
Representatives from international organizations and civil society also provided valuable insights:
Presentation of Key Findings and Next Steps
Ms. Angela Me from UNODC presented the extensive efforts in collecting and reporting data on trafficking in persons. She noted the significant impact of COVID-19 on detection capacities and the rise in child trafficking and forced labor. Me emphasized the need for more granular data on Central Asia and further research on technology and climate change.
Looking Ahead
The event concluded with a call to disseminate the report widely and utilize its findings to inform policy discussions. The UNODC urged for continued research on emerging trends, strengthened international cooperation, and increased resources and support for trafficking victims. The upcoming appraisal of the Global Plan of Action on Trafficking in Persons in 2025 was highlighted as a key opportunity to assess progress and enhance global efforts to combat trafficking.