New york: HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Secretary-General of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, participated in a high-level GCC meeting on regional cooperation to combat human trafficking. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons in New York. Her Excellency highlighted Qatar's recent advancements in preventing human trafficking, including legislative updates, law enforcement structures, and the adoption of AI-driven digital tools.
According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency elaborated on Qatar's initiatives to bolster national partnerships, expand training and capacity-building programs, and improve victim protection through enhanced shelter and care services. A unified national platform for receiving reports has also been launched. Sheikha Najwa emphasized that Qatar's efforts are grounded in a vision prioritizing human protection and dignity, aligning with international best practices.
Sheikha Najwa outlined Qatar's ongoing implementation of the National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2024-2026), centered on four pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnerships and Cooperation. This plan includes strategies for policy strengthening, awareness campaigns, victim support services, law enforcement enhancements, and international cooperation.
Her Excellency praised the GCC states for their efforts in combating human trafficking and noted that while the region once depended on international models, GCC experiences are now valued globally. She acknowledged that challenges persist due to the evolving nature of human trafficking, which demands improved readiness and adaptability.
She stressed the importance of enhancing data exchange, monitoring tools, societal awareness, and technical cooperation within the GCC and globally. Sheikha Najwa reaffirmed Qatar's dedication to joint GCC initiatives, expertise exchange, and coordinated responses to combat human trafficking effectively.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, Sheikha Najwa also engaged with international organization officials, such as Samuel-Olonjuwon Cynthia of the International Labour Organization and Par Liljert of the International Organization for Migration. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the labor sector and knowledge exchange to strengthen the work environment.