SECOND MEETING OF THE BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-SECTORIAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION (BIMSTEC) SUB-GROUP ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has hosted the Second meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) subgroup on Human Trafficking which was held on 26th and 27th of June, 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Major General JR Kulatunga RSP ndc psc, the Chief of National Intelligence and the Head of the Official Committee of National Anti-Human Trafficking Task force of Sri Lanka whilst the special remarks made by Mr. MD Mosharaf Hossain, the Director, Security Division of the BIMSTEC. Further, Ms.Sarah Lou Arriola, The Regional Director for Asia and the pacific of International Organization for Migration (IOM), also made her valuable remarks in this event.

As the member States of the BIMSTEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand presented their effort in preventing, suppressing and prosecuting the crime of Human Trafficking in the Bay of Bengal Region.

The plan of Action to combat Human Trafficking in the Bay of Bengal Region was taken into consideration in the meeting in order to finalize the said Action Plan by the State Parties to the BIMSTEC for the purpose of looking forward to work more cooperatively and collaboratively in the fight against Trafficking in Persons. Representing the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, some officials also participated as Sri Lankan delegates in the event.