Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 31 July (BelTA) – The international community should unite efforts in combating trafficking in human beings, Belarusian Ambassador to Austria, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the international organizations in Vienna Alena Kupchyna said at the event timed to the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons that took place under the aegis of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at the Vienna International Center, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In her statement Alena Kupchyna emphasized the importance of partnerships consolidating the efforts of governments, international organizations, academia, business community, mass media and civil society in combating trafficking in persons. She underlined that these efforts can only be effective provided they receive adequate financial support. In this regard, the ambassador emphasized the important role of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

The permanent representative of Belarus praised the work of the OSCE that together with the UN Women will co-chair the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons in 2019.

Alena Kupchyna drew attention to Belarus-sponsored initiatives that were successfully implemented under the umbrella of the UN, including by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, as well as by the OSCE.

Opening the event, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime with the rank of Under-Secretary-General Yury Fedotov emphasized the leading role of Belarus in the work of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking that includes 21 states as of today.

A special set of ten stamps issued by the UN Office in Vienna to raise awareness of human trafficking was presented during the event.