Between 22-23 July 2019, the Co-Chairs of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime hosted the Second Steering Group Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.
In attendance were participants from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam, as well as the ILO, IOM, UNHCR, UNODC, ADFM and the FSC, attended the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss progress toward implementing the Bali Process Ministerial Declarations, Strategy for Cooperation and Regional Support Office (RSO) strategic and work plans. It considered the interests of Bali Process members and forward objectives, looking toward the next Ministerial Conference to be held in mid-2020.
Outcomes
- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted that threats from transnational organised crime, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling, were becoming more integrated within the region.
- Members identified and commended initiatives by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNODC, IOM and Liechtenstein Initiative for a Financial Sector Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (FSC) aimed to address trafficking in persons and related translational crime.
- The Working Group on Trafficking in Persons (WG-TIP) will continue to deliver training on the Bali Process Policy Guides and develop a Compendium of Good Practice Examples on Supply Chain Transparency.
- The Working Group on the Disruption of People Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Networks (WG‑Disruption) is planning the 5th joint period of action in late 2019.
Members:
- endorsed the draft Policy Guide on Return and Reintegration developed by the Technical Experts Group on Returns and Reintegration (TEG-RR).
- commended the Government and Business Forum (GABF) for its efforts to implement the ‘Acknowledge, Act and Advance’ recommendations.
- endorsed RSO’s strategic and work plans as well as ongoing activities.
- The Strategy for Cooperation received endorsement from members with the following notable proposals:
- Improving the Bali Process website as a means of communication and engagement for members.
- Exploring the possibility of the RSO becoming a separate international organization.
- Forming a GABF foundation.
- Strengthening collaboration with other regional processes working on relevant thematic areas for the Bali Process.
- In December 2018, Bali Process adopted the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).
