Tehran (I.R.Iran), 2 November 2020 – UNODC and Officials from the Iranian National Trafficking in Persons Commission meet on 30 September 2020 to discuss the launch and implementation of Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East).
Building on the earlier agreements in June 2020 and the initial acceptance of GLO.ACT implementation in Islamic Republic of Iran, Rahim Saki, the Iranian Deputy Minister of Interior and head of Ministry of Interior Center for International Affairs confirmed the I.R. of Iran’s commitment to partner with UNODC in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. Mr. Saki expressed hope that the partnership will be expanded based on the mutual delivery of positive results. He called for UNODC support, requested concrete assistance, especially regional cooperation with neighbours and welcomed GLO.ACT’s emphasis on street children exploited for labour.
Kaveh Moradi, UNODC Senior Programme Manager, Country Office in I.R. of Iran, commended the continued commitment of the partner agencies and expressed confidence that the positive engagement will lead to successful cooperation and securing GLO.ACT’s intended impacts.
UNODC and the I.R. of Iran pledged to continue consultations and explore the priorities of implementation for GLO.ACT in the country.
The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants - Asia and the Middle East (GLO.ACT Asia and the Middle East) is a four-year joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in four countries: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Iraq and Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The project builds on a global community of practice set in motion in GLO.ACT 2015-2019 and assists governmental authorities and civil society organizations in targeted, innovative and demand-driven interventions: sustaining effective strategy and policy development, legislative review and harmonization, capability development, and regional and trans-regional cooperation. The project also provides direct assistance to victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and protection mechanisms.
This project is funded by the European Union.