UNODC strives for the eradication of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling through the dismantling of the criminal enterprises that trade in people and the conviction of the main perpetrators. With the support of the EU and partners, our work safeguards people from the abuse, neglect, and exploitation that are associated with these phenomena.

Since 2015, cooperation on human trafficking and migrant smuggling has been the most important topic (by value) in the EU-UNODC project portfolio on organised crime, including activities across Africa and in Asia and the Middle East.

Learn more about UNODC’s work on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

Launched in 2018, the GLO.ACT Asia and Middle East and GLO.ACT Bangladesh projects are implemented in partnership with IOM. The initiative supports five partner countries to develop and implement more effective international and national responses to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

In August 2019, the EU and UNODC launched a new programme to step up efforts in North Africa and counter criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking, through the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

UNODC has partnered with GIZ since 2016 for two phases of the Better Migration Management programme, aiming to improve the management of safe, orderly and regular migration and support national authorities in addressing the smuggling of migrants and the trafficking in human beings within and from the Horn of Africa.