Tenth Annual Meeting of the Trafficking in Persons Working Group and Eighth Meeting of the Taskforce on Planning and Preparedness

Location: Bangkok, Thailand Date: 18 - 21 November 2024
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From 18 to 21 November 2024, the Bali Process Co-chairs hosted a series of pivotal events in Bangkok, bringing together key stakeholders from governments, civil society, and the private sector to confront human trafficking and explore collaborative solutions. The events included the Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Dialogue, the Tenth Annual Meeting, the Regional Event, and the 8th Annual Meeting of the Taskforce on Planning and Preparedness (TFPP).

The Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Dialogue on 18 November marked a decade of impactful action by the Working Group, bringing together members, observers, and regional partners to reflect on past successes and the emerging challenges in the fight against trafficking. Co-chaired by the Australian Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery and the Indonesian Deputy Minister for Multilateral Cooperation, the dialogue tackled growing risks such as trafficking for forced scamming and the misuse of technology, including encryption and artificial intelligence. Panelists highlighted the urgency of continued collaboration among governments, international organizations, and the private sector to address these evolving threats.

The Tenth Annual Meeting on 19 November finalized the Working Group’s Forward Work Plan for 2024-26, which aligns with the 2023 Adelaide Strategy for future cooperation. The meeting provided a platform for members and observers to share national updates on trafficking responses, with an emphasis on strengthening law enforcement cooperation, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and improving victim support.

The Regional Event on 20 November addressed the alarming issue of trafficking into online scam centres, focusing on the rising trend of trafficked individuals being exploited in criminal operations. The event underscored the critical role of public-private partnerships in raising awareness and combating this growing threat.

On 21 November, the 8th Annual Meeting of the TFPP focused on enhancing regional preparedness and responses to trafficking in persons, prioritizing planning, training, and coordination among member countries. TFPP members discussed best practices for improving crisis response systems and strengthening regional cooperation on prevention, disruption, and victim support. This meeting highlighted the importance of proactive, coordinated efforts to address the complexities of human trafficking in the region.

Collectively, these events underscored the need for ongoing, collaborative efforts across governments, civil society, and the private sector to effectively combat human trafficking. Through innovative, data-driven solutions and strategic coordination, the Bali Process Working Group on Trafficking in Persons reaffirmed its commitment to addressing both emerging challenges and long-standing issues in the fight against trafficking.