Inaction is not an option! We all have a role to prevent human trafficking in supply chains.

On 16 May, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) co-organized an event on combating human trafficking in supply chains.

The event underscored the importance of ensuring that business operations and supply chains are not complicit in the crime of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is an extremely lucrative business for traffickers and is often linked to the goods and services across sectors, and across supply chains,” said Ms. Heather Komenda from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who also spoke in IOM’s capacity as co-chair of ICAT in 2024.

She added that governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders all have roles and responsibilities in preventing and addressing human trafficking. "Inaction is not an option," said Ms. Komenda.

She emphasized the significant contribution that survivors of human trafficking can make, highlighting the necessity of amplifying their voices and ensuring their inclusion as key participants in combatting human trafficking.

Speaker after speaker highlighted the importance of all stakeholders undertaking necessary measures to prevent human trafficking in supply chains.

They encouraged increased partnerships with the private sector, enhanced information sharing, and improved inter-agency cooperation as essential for a comprehensive response to human trafficking.

Ms. Julia Schellhaas, Senior Adviser Supply Chains from the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), presented on OSCE's procurement roadmap and various tools.

She also spotlighted the efforts made by the multi-agency Task Force for Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour in UN Supply Chains, which was established in 2019 with the mandate to develop harmonized UN policies and guidelines to reduce the exposure and consequences of human trafficking within UN supply chains.

On May 1, 2024, the Task Force launched an online training course for UN staff to understand and enhance their capacity to combat human trafficking and forced labour in UN supply chains.

Mr. Isaac Espinosa Delgado, Criminal Intelligence Analyst at INTERPOL, also shared information on the relevant efforts put in place by INTERPOL to combat human trafficking in supply chains.

In particular, he noted the increased risk of human trafficking and labour exploitation in business operations and  supply chains globally. Considering the growing transnational nature of business operations, he emphasized the need to improve cross-border initiatives to monitor and ensure compliance in supply chains.

The event was organized in the margins of the 33rd session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the Crime Commission) held in Vienna, Austria, from 13 to 17 May 2024.

It was co-organized by ICAT and the Group of Friends against Human Trafficking in line with a resolution adopted by the Crime Commission in 2023 to tackle action against trafficking in persons in business operations, public procurement and supply chains for goods and services.

Ambassador Andrei Dapkiunas, the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN in Vienna, opened the meeting on behalf of Belarus as the Chair of the Group of Friends against Human Trafficking.