Opinions & Interviews
Belarus initiates discussion at UN venue in Vienna about threat of AI use for human trafficking
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MINSK, 9 July (BelTA) – An event timed to the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons took place in the Vienna International Center upon the initiative of Belarus as the chair of the Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking, BelTA learned from the organizers.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on 30 July in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution No.68/192. In 2026 commemorative events run under the motto “Trapped behind the scam”, which is designed to draw attention to the growing threat of human trafficking for the purpose of forcing individuals into criminal activity and exploiting them as part of online fraud schemes.
Irina Velichko, Head of the Main Directorate for Multilateral Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, took part in the event. Opening the session, the Belarusian diplomat pointed out that human trafficking remains one of the most severe transboundary crimes, which remains highly adaptive to changes in the technological environment. It was noted that criminal groups actively use digital platforms and artificial intelligence to involve victims in fraudulent schemes and unlawful activity.
The development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence is accompanied by the emergence of new risks, which necessitates stronger coordination and higher efficiency of international response measures.
In this context Irina Velichko emphasized the importance of the resolution dedicated to countering human trafficking for the purpose of forced criminal activity, which was adopted upon the initiative of Belarus and Kazakhstan at the 35th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Vienna, 1-5 June).
An exchange of views on countering new forms of human trafficking and strengthening international interaction took place during the event, including the operation of specialized structures of the UN system and interstate cooperation formats.
The Vienna branch of the Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking confirmed readiness to further facilitate the strengthening of international cooperation, interacting with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, organizations of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), states, civil society, and the private sector.
Representatives of UN member states, international organizations, and the expert community accredited in Vienna took part in the event.
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