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| Delegates attending the conference take a commemorative photo. (Photo: baoquocte.vn) |
On July 16-18, in Hanoi, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the New Zealand Immigration Management Agency, co-hosted the Disruption Working Group - Joint Period of Action 2023-2024 and the annual meeting of the Working Group on dismantling illegal migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks (Working Group) within the Bali Process framework on people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime.
The events were attended by nearly 60 delegates from member countries of the Working Group (Vietnam, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Maldives, etc.), along with representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Doan Hoang Minh, Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that with the rapid migration processes, it is crucial to effectively address the complex challenges associated with migration, such as criminal exploitation of technology for human trafficking and smuggling, job opportunity scams abroad, poverty, inequality, conflicts, demographic imbalances and climate change.
Stating that no single country can address these challenges alone, Mr. Doan Hoang Minh called on countries to jointly implement actions based on shared commitments, common understanding and mutual goals to create a safe and legal migration environment for the rights and interests of migrants, contributing to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world.
The Director of the Consular Department appreciated New Zealand's role in leading the Working Group and supporting Vietnam in its co-chair role, expressing confidence that the conference would identify a new joint action phase that effectively addresses the concerns and priorities of members.
Speaking at the event, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford noted that in May 2024, Wellington redefined its foreign policy to contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of each nation and region, based on the pillars of sharing information and enhancing cooperation on combating people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime.
Praising the Bali Process, Ambassador Beresford said it demonstrates collective efforts to combat people smuggling and human trafficking, reaffirming New Zealand's commitment to continue supporting the Bali Process and promoting cooperation with partners to uphold its principles and goals. She also commended Vietnam's co-chairing role in the Working Group since 2020.
The three-day event focused on key issues: assessing achieved results and drawing lessons learned and best practices after 12 months of implementing the 2023-2024 Joint Action Phase; summarizing the Working Group's activities over the past year and discussing future priorities and directions.
On the first day, Ms. Phan Thi Minh Giang, Deputy Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave a keynote speech on preventing exploitation and protecting vulnerable people; Ms. Kylie Seumanu, Director of the New Zealand Immigration Management Agency, presented on the situation of illegal migration and human trafficking in New Zealand; and representatives from New Zealand and Sri Lanka updated on the implementation of the 2023-2024 Joint Action Phase.
On the second day, Ms. Park Mi-hyung, Head of the IOM Delegation in Vietnam, shared about protecting vulnerable communities during migration and addressing the root causes of illegal migration. The conference was also scheduled to discuss effective implementation solutions for the next Joint Action Phase based on lessons learned and practices from the 2023-2024 phase.
The final day's meeting included presentations from two experts from the Irish National Police and the Immigration Management Department of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, on human trafficking crimes to Ireland and preventing illegal immigration and migration between Vietnam and other countries.
Held in the context of the upcoming World Day against Trafficking in Persons and Vietnam's National Day against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), this conference strongly reaffirms Vietnam's commitment and determination to enhance international cooperation to combat human trafficking and promptly protect trafficking victims./.