An unidentified representative delivering a cross‑regional joint statement on behalf of 44 states told a high‑level meeting that traffickers are increasingly exploiting conflict, economic hardship and digital platforms to expand networks and subject people to forced labor and severe exploitation.

"Traffickers exploit conflict, economic hardship, and digital platforms to expand their networks," the speaker said, noting mounting evidence from United Nations mechanisms documenting operations linked to online scam networks and transnational organized crime. The speaker said the growth of these crimes has exacerbated human rights and humanitarian challenges and called for urgent, coordinated action.

The statement recalled that it has been 15 years since the adoption of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and said member states should renew political will and act in unity guided by human rights and international solidarity. The speaker singled out prevention, victim identification, strengthened law enforcement, survivor empowerment and guaranteed access to justice and remedy as priorities.

The speaker welcomed efforts by member states and digital‑sector organizations to dismantle criminal syndicates and urged coordinated engagement of United Nations mechanisms, explicitly naming the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support capacity building, prevention and victim protection.

The statement cautioned that trafficking in some circumstances may amount to crimes against humanity and said a comprehensive, multi‑stakeholder approach is needed that bridges digital governance, law enforcement and human rights protection. The speaker closed the statement and said the meeting would not take questions at this time.