Comprehensive cooperation on preventing and combating human trafficking in the Mekong Sub-region

On November 19, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Public Security chaired and coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to organize the 6th Greater Mekong Subregion Ministerial Conference on Human Trafficking (IMM6); the Mekong Subregion Ministerial Initiative on Human Trafficking (COMMIT Process). The conference had the theme "Strengthening regional cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking in the digital age."

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son attended and delivered the opening speech at the conference. Attending the conference were Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security; Heads of delegations from the Greater Mekong Subregion (Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam), ambassadors and representatives of the six COMMIT Process member countries, and international organizations.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son delivered the opening speech at the conference. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son sent his warmest welcome to the heads of delegations, representatives of international organizations and all delegates attending the conference.

The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security for chairing and coordinating with relevant ministries, branches and agencies to organize this important event, aiming to contribute to deepening the cooperation process between Mekong Sub-region countries in preventing and combating human trafficking crimes, making it more effective and sustainable.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in the face of the negative impacts of globalization, international integration and the negative aspects of the market economy , Vietnam and countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion are facing many increasingly complex and unpredictable non-traditional security challenges, including human trafficking crimes, which seriously affect the social order and security of each country.

Human trafficking crimes are tending to be linked with other transnational crimes, when subjects force victims to participate in online fraud, gambling, money laundering, transporting contraband goods, etc. Especially, in the digital age and with the strong development of science and technology, human trafficking crimes have thoroughly exploited cyberspace to commit crimes with increasingly sophisticated and cunning methods and tricks, causing many difficulties for law enforcement forces in the fight against crime.

For Vietnam, identifying the prevention and fight against human trafficking crimes as a central and continuous task requiring the cooperation of the entire political system, the Party, State and Government of Vietnam have directed the effective and synchronous implementation of many solutions, plans, programs and policies, directly the Program on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking for the period 2021-2025 and vision to 2030.

Every year, the Vietnamese Government has also issued a plan to implement activities in response to "World Day against Trafficking in Persons," "National Day against Trafficking in Persons," and launched peak campaigns to attack and suppress human trafficking crimes nationwide, aiming towards a safe society where no one is left behind.

In particular, on November 28, 2024, the Vietnamese National Assembly passed the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking, contributing to institutionalizing the Party's policies and guidelines on prevention and combat of human trafficking, consolidating the legal framework, ensuring the consistency of the legal system and compatibility with international treaties.

On that basis, the authorities have synchronously and comprehensively deployed measures to combat human trafficking crimes and achieved many positive results.

Besides the achievements, Vietnam is also facing many challenges, namely: New methods and tricks of criminals are increasingly sophisticated; the application of high technology in criminal activities is increasing; the work of repatriating and reintegrating victims into the community still has many difficulties.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that this is not only a challenge for Vietnam but also a common challenge for the Greater Mekong Subregion countries. Within the framework of multilateral cooperation on preventing and combating human trafficking, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated the role of the Greater Mekong Subregion Ministerial Conference on preventing and combating human trafficking within the COMMIT cooperation mechanism.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that COMMIT is the leading forum for law enforcement agencies of countries to assess the situation, share experiences in preventing and combating human trafficking, and agree on contents and measures to promote cooperation.

Vietnam's role as Chair of the COMMIT Process in 2025 in general and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security in particular chairing and hosting the 6th IMM Conference with the theme "Strengthening regional cooperation in combating human trafficking in the digital age" is not only a testament to the spirit of enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding, but also an important step to consolidate and deepen the friendly neighborly relations and sustainable development among the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Congratulating and appreciating the achievements that the COMMIT Process cooperation mechanism has achieved in recent times, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his belief that this important mechanism will promote the successes it has achieved, continue to be a forum for the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries to promote comprehensive cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking crimes in particular, as well as overall cooperation among the countries in the Mekong Sub-region in general.

Within the framework of this year's conference, the Deputy Prime Minister asked delegates to actively participate in frank, comprehensive and substantive discussions to agree on highly feasible orientations and measures to most effectively promote regional cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking in the coming time, focusing on the Joint Statement of the conference and the Sub-regional Action Plan for the period 2025-2035.

In the context that the world and the region are facing many challenges and increasingly complicated developments in human trafficking crimes, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that more than ever, Vietnam and the Greater Mekong Subregion countries need to continue to join hands, mobilize resources and seek support from the international community to prevent and repel human trafficking crimes, protect victims with the motto of putting victims at the center, contributing to building a stable, safe, sustainably developed and prosperous Greater Mekong Subregion.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his thanks to law enforcement agencies of countries in the region and international organizations that have actively accompanied Vietnamese authorities in preventing and combating human trafficking crimes over the past time.

On the morning of November 19, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son received the Heads of Delegations from China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand to attend the Joint Working Group Meeting (RTF) and IMM 6./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hop-tac-toan-dien-ve-phong-chong-buon-nguoi-trong-khu-vuc-tieu-vung-song-mekong-post1078022.vnp