Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Albudaiwi stressed that the Governmental Forum to Combat Human Trafficking in the Middle East has received regional and international acclaim for the efforts of GCC countries.
He noted that since its inception, the forum has contributed to shaping a unified GCC vision to address human trafficking, tailored to the region’s unique economic and geographic characteristics, as well as the evolving challenges of this crime, particularly with the use of modern technologies and transnational organized crime networks, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Albudaiwi made his remarks during his speech at the opening of the sixth Governmental Forum to Combat Human Trafficking in the Middle East for 2025, held in Kuwait. The forum was attended by Minister of Justice of Kuwait Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait, along with several ministers and senior representatives from member states, as well as delegates from the GCC Secretariat, the Arab League, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the US Department of State.
Albudaiwi highlighted the adoption of national laws that criminalize human trafficking and establish clear mechanisms for victim protection and offender prosecution. These efforts include the formation of national committees and agencies, establishment of shelters, hotlines, and national referral systems for potential victims, as well as specialized training for security and judicial personnel.
He also cited regulatory reforms in labor markets through updated labor legislation and expanded regional and international cooperation with organizations such as UNODC, the International Organization for Migration, and the International Labor Organization to implement joint preventive and awareness programs.
Albudaiwi concluded and called for united efforts among countries to address shared challenges, enhance coordination, and sustain collective action, mainly in combating transnational crimes and protecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and migrants.
He reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast and ongoing commitment to combating human trafficking in all its forms, advancing legislative and regulatory frameworks, and enhancing regional and international cooperation to ensure victim protection, offender accountability, and the promotion of justice and human rights.
