Belarus’ Deputy Foreign Minister, Valentin Rybakov, calls for intensified international efforts to combat human trafficking, speaking at UN
Speaking as an honourable guest at a thematic meeting dedicated to combating violence against children, and child exploitation and trafficking, Mr. Rybakov asked that the 2017 High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly review the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The Belarusian diplomat has called for participation by all stakeholders.
Delegations from Indonesia, Mexico, Tanzania, Sweden and Japan were in attendance. In his statement the Belarusian diplomat noted the need to intensify concerted efforts against human trafficking and the existing international mechanisms in the United Nations to combat trafficking in persons. Mr. Rybakov also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to this issue to ensure successful achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals relating to the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
The Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking was created in 2010, at the initiative of Belarus. At present, the Group consists of 24 member states from all regions of the world. It is primarily due to the initiative and persistence of the Group that the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
By Alexey Fedosov
