Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam and Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries must continue to unite together, pool resources, and secure broader international backing to counter human trafficking, said Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Son delivered the call at the 6th Inter-Ministerial Meeting (IMM6) of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking (COMMIT) in Hanoi on November 19. The gathering drew the participation of officials from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as ambassadors and representatives from international organisations.
In his opening remarks, Son praised the Ministry of Public Security for working closely with relevant ministries and agencies to hold this important event, which aims to deepen and sustain regional cooperation against human trafficking.
The Deputy PM noted that human trafficking networks are increasingly intertwined with other transnational crimes, forcing victims into online fraud, illegal gambling, money laundering and smuggling of prohibited goods.
In the digital age, rapid technological advances have enabled traffickers to exploit cyberspace with ever-more sophisticated and deceptive tactics, posing major challenges for law enforcement agencies, he added.
The Vietnamese Party, State, and Government have directed comprehensive, coordinated countermeasures, including the National Programme on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control for 2021–2025 with a vision to 2030.
Each year, the Vietnamese Government rolls out plans to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons and the National Day for Anti-Human Trafficking, alongside nationwide crackdowns to build a safe society where no one is left behind.
A major step forward came on November 28, 2024, when the National Assembly approved the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control, institutionalising the Party's directives, consolidating the legal framework, ensuring consistency within the national legal system and aligning with international treaties. Authorities have since adopted concerted and comprehensive measures that have yielded positive results.
Challenges persist, however, including increasingly complex criminal methods, growing use of advanced technologies and difficulties in victim repatriation and reintegration, which, he described as common across the sub-region.
Vietnam’s assumption of COMMIT Chair in 2025 and its hosting of IMM6 underscore the country’s firm commitment to regional collaboration and contributions to fostering friendly ties and sustainable development among GMS nations, Son said.
The Deputy PM called for candid, in-depth discussions to craft practical orientations and solutions, which will underpin a joint declaration and a sub-regional action plan for 2025–2035.
On the occasion, he thanked regional law enforcement agencies and international organisations for their ongoing support to Vietnam’s anti-trafficking efforts.
On morning the same day, Son hosted a reception for heads of delegations from China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand attending the Regional Task Force (RTF) meeting and IMM6./.
