General Assembly adopts modalities for high‑level meeting on trafficking after amendment fails

The General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/79/L.79 on the modalities, format and organization of the high‑level meeting to appraise the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons after member states rejected an amendment proposed by the Russian Federation.

The resolution sets procedures for the upcoming high‑level meeting and includes language on participation by non‑governmental organizations (NGOs) and a paragraph (operative paragraph 9) addressing gender parity and selection transparency for civil society participants. Member states voted down draft amendment A/79/L.80 by the Russian Federation, 16 in favor, 79 against and 37 abstentions; later the Assembly adopted operative paragraph 9 by recorded vote (89 in favor, 9 against, 29 abstentions) and then adopted the resolution as a whole by the plenary’s decision.

Why it matters: the approved modalities determine which civil society organizations, experts and stakeholders can participate in a high‑level meeting whose aim is to strengthen international cooperation to prevent and respond to human trafficking. Disagreement over NGO selection procedures and the mechanics of participation reflected broader concerns about politicization and transparency at UN meetings.

Debate and votes

The Russian Federation introduced amendment A/79/L.80 arguing that established non‑objection procedures and NGO‑committee criteria should be preserved and that the current text risked politicizing participation. The Russian representative said the amendment ‘‘is the wording that was passed by consensus on many an occasion’’ and urged support for restoring a ‘‘tried and tested’’ procedure.

Several delegations spoke against the amendment. Liechtenstein said civil‑society participation ‘‘is essential in combating human trafficking’’ and warned that the amendment would ‘‘erode the transparency’’ of selection processes. The United Kingdom and Mexico likewise argued that broad civil‑society participation improved the legitimacy and effectiveness of the meeting and opposed attempts to restrict it. The amendment was put to a recorded vote and failed (16–79–37).

The Assembly then voted on operative paragraph 9 (the paragraph on NGO participation and gender parity). That paragraph was retained with 89 votes in favor, 9 against and 29 abstentions. The Assembly proceeded to adopt draft resolution A/79/L.79.

Positions after the vote

Several delegations offered explanations of position after the vote. Cuba and Mexico defended established non‑objection practices as consistent with long‑standing UN practice for NGO participation. The United States welcomed the resolution on trafficking broadly but explicitly disassociated from operative paragraph 9, citing concerns about language on gender parity and the paragraph’s mechanics. Turkey, Belarus and others also disassociated from paragraph 9 or stated they had voted against it.

What the resolution does (as discussed)

Delegations said the text aims to ensure the high‑level meeting will include a wide range of participants — including survivors, researchers and civil society — to inform discussions and strengthen implementation of the Global Plan of Action. Critics argued that the process for selecting NGO participants must be transparent, that member states should be able to assess NGO funding and activities, and that decisions should avoid politicization.

Next steps

The facilitator coordinators for the resolution were acknowledged for shepherding negotiations; the General Assembly will now proceed to organize the high‑level meeting in line with the adopted modalities and the Secretariat will work with relevant UN offices to implement the participation procedures.

Ending

Delegations on both sides said they remain committed to combating trafficking in persons; their statements, however, show that differences over civil‑society participation and procedural safeguards will need continued diplomatic attention ahead of the meeting.