Events

MINSK, 28 September (BelTA) – Belarus has made another voluntary contribution to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkyunas said at the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York on 27 September, BelTA learned from the press service of Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Belarus’ deputy minister of foreign affairs noted the need for significantly broader support of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children. "Andrei Dapkyunas said that due to the decision by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus has made the third voluntary contribution to the Fund," the press service said.

The high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly was dedicated to the progress achieved in the implementation of the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. "In his speech, the Belarusian diplomat noted that the Global Plan is not a convention, but merely an invitation to take action and a declaration of intent. Trafficking in persons can be eliminated only by means of joining efforts of all countries and organizations which are put above any political profit, convenience and expediency motives," the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Andrei Dapkyunas urged to enhance multilateral cooperation on this matter both within and outside the UN on the principles of openness, dedicated mutual support and goodwill.

The Belarusian diplomat also spoke on behalf of the Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking at the opening ceremony of the film festival which was included in the program of the two-day event on trafficking in children, child prostitution and pornography, including via the Internet. The event was organized on Belarus’ initiative by the Group of Friends together with partners from the international and U.S. non-governmental organizations.

The UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons was established in accordance with the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The official opening of the fund took place in New York on 4 November 2010. Belarus was among the first countries to make a contribution to the fund. Then a Belarusian contribution was made in 2013. The fund provides humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of trafficking in persons.

The UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons was adopted at the 64^th session of the General Assembly on 30 July 2010 on the initiative of Belarus. It is the first universal UN document aimed at promoting better coordination of the international efforts.