Remarks by the President of the General Assembly?
H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past two days, this high-level meeting has underscored the complex and pervasive nature of human trafficking in all its forms ¨C sexual exploitation, forced labour, child and forced marriage, and the rapidly growing sphere of technology- and AI-enabled abuse.
Throughout our discussions, one point has been crystal clear ¨C the cost of inaction is unbearable.
As survivor and advocate Shamere McKenzie put it so starkly yesterday, ¡°Human trafficking is succeeding because governments are moving too slowly.¡±
As I underlined in my opening remarks, we must eliminate the systems that enable these dark impulses of humanity, and I am encouraged by the strong commitment expressed by Member States to fight this scourge head-on.
Four priorities have emerged from this meeting and also from the reports by the co-chairs of the working groups:
First, survivors must be at the centre of all our efforts to combat human trafficking.
We are not talking about victims ¨C we are talking about heroes and fighters, of people whose courage to speak out has brought justice for so many others as well.
We must uphold their dignity, ensure trauma-informed support, legal assistance, rehabilitation, and reintegration¡ªand ensure they are full participants in the policies that shape their futures.
Second, we need to tackle the rapidly evolving digital frontier of trafficking.
Digital exploitation, AI-driven manipulation, fake online job offers, and deepfakes are expanding the reach of traffickers at unprecedented speed.
Member States have also sounded the alarm on the heightened risks facing children and women¡ªfrom online recruitment to cross-border exploitation and even forced participation in conflict.
Third, governments need strong laws and coordinated national systems backed by enforcement units, data-driven prevention, and long-term funding.
The cross-border nature of trafficking demands legal frameworks and national action plans that match its scale and sophistication.
I commend those countries that shared new legislation, innovative approaches, and best practices during these meetings.
And especially outlining the strength of strong migration laws supporting the people.
Finally, urgent, collective, and cross-sectoral action is critical.
Governments, civil society, survivors, and the private sector¡ªincluding technology companies¡ªmust work together to disrupt exploitation, strengthen accountability, address root causes, and turn global commitments into concrete action.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Civil society activists,
Brave survivors,
Allow me to recall again the bold challenge Ms. McKenzie issued to us all, ¡°Are we doing enough? Are we acting with the urgency this crisis deserves? Are we willing to be bold?¡±
Not only at a high-level meeting.
As we close this high-level meeting today, I urge you to continue to act back at home. To act urgently. To act boldly. As survivors do every day.
I thank you.