Vientiane, Lao PDR - 13 August 2018 - On 28 July 2018, the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT) participated in an event in anticipation of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons usually marked annually on 30 July. The event was organized by the Secretariat to the National Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons (NCATIP) at Patuxai, a war monument in the centre of Vientiane.
Government agencies and development partners such as United Nations agencies, embassies and NGOs working on combatting human trafficking gathered to raise awareness on how to end human trafficking. During the opening ceremony, there was a speech delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Major General Somkeo Silavong, Minister of Public Security, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons. He emphasized that all relevant sectors should further intensify and expand efforts to raise public awareness through different means and methods so that communities living cities and rural areas are fully aware of the dangers of trafficking in persons and are prepared to actively contribute to combat and prevent it.
The event was then followed by walk along the Lane Xang Avenue to the Presidential palace where government agencies as well as United Nations agencies and NGOs displayed information, education and communications materials. The UNODC booth showcased the work implemented under GLO.ACT and also distributed leaflets and reports about TIP from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand in Lao and English. In addition, visitors to the GLO.ACT booth enjoyed taking photos in front of the GLO.ACT banner while holding UNODC signs that displayed the #EndTrafficking and #EndHumanTrafficking hashtags.
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
Email: siliphaithoun.xayamoungkhoun@un.org
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/
Email: glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act