Vientiane, Lao PDR - 30 July 2018 - The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT) held an interagency meeting between the European Union (EU) and the three implementing agencies of GLO.ACT, namely UNODC, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Mr. Francois Pravongviengkham, Political Affairs Officer of the EU Delegation to Lao PDR hosted the meeting at the EU House on 11 July 2018.
The objective of the meeting was to update each other on the progress made with regard to project implementation and understand each other's challenges, if applicable, with regard to project implementation and be updated on EU priorities with regard to project implementation.
During the meeting, the National Project Officer for UNICEF, Ms. Souphavone Dalavong, shared updates about the development of a hotline and on a recent training event conducted at the Lao Women's Union's Counseling and Protection Center for Women and Children. She also provided some insights into other related UNICEF activities, such as their recent work on strengthening the child protection network in Phongsaly, Huaphanh, Bokeo, Savannakhet, Saravane, and Attapeu Provinces.
The meeting was also an opportunity for IOM to introduce their newly appointed National Project Officer, Ms. Sourivonexay Phrommala. Ms. Phrommala provided updates on ongoing discussions between IOM and the Lao Women's Union regarding the development of a National Referral Mechanism. In addition, she spoke about IOM's plan of facilitating a study tour for law enforcement officers to Thailand. The objective of this tour would be for officers to gain better insights into the trafficking in persons context in Thailand and any changes that are taking place due to Thailand's new policies on migration.
Ms. Siliphaithoun Xayamoungkhoun, National Project Officer for UNODC, reported in brief on the preparations for World Day against Trafficking in Persons. GLO.ACT will actively support the Secretariat of the National Committee on Anti-Trafficking (NCATIP) during public engagements and event management. She also highlighted that activities such as the consultation meeting with Lao lawyers on their role and training them to combat trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants will be organized as soon as GLO.ACT's next 6-month implementation plan has been signed off by the NCAP. In addition, Ms. Xayamoungkhoun also spoke about the study tour with IOM as well as a potential revision of the existing databases on TIP and SOM. This will be done in close alignment with implementing partner agencies to avoid any duplication of resources and to help ensure that the database systems can be harmonized.
Concluding the meeting, Mr. Pravongviengkham endorsed these types of cooperation and coordination meetings and went on to explain that they are a good way to deal with cross-cutting issues that may impact project implementation. He also endorsed the idea of having quarterly GLO.ACT meetings and, if needed, ad hoc meetings on hot issues to ensure all agencies are in the loop and any issues can be addressed.
The next interagency cooperation and coordination meeting is planned for early October 2018.
The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a four-year (2015-2019), €11 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). GLO.ACT aims to provide assistance to governmental authorities and civil society organizations across 13 strategically selected countries: Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine. GLO.ACT works with the 13 countries to plan and implement strategic national counter-trafficking and counter-smuggling efforts through a prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships approach. It supports the development of more effective responses to trafficking and smuggling, including providing assistance to victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and direct support mechanisms.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Siliphaithoun Xayamoungkhoun
GLO.ACT National Project Officer
siliphaithoun.xayamoungkhoun@un.org
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/
Email: glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act