National Statement at High-Level Meeting on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons

Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues,

Thank you for the opportunity to offer a few reflections following this important discussion.

Today's panel has highlighted a troubling development: the rapid expansion of trafficking in persons for the purpose of forced criminality, particularly in online scam operations.

It has also underscored the increasingly close links between organized criminal groups, illicit financial flows, corruption, and the use of AI and other emerging technologies.

These are not isolated findings. They were also highlighted by UNODC at the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit here in New York, as well as at the UNTOC Working Group on Trafficking in Persons in Vienna this June.

Organized crime continually adapts. Human traffickers are constantly developing new business models, but their objective remains unchanged: to exploit vulnerable people for profit—whether through sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, exploitation in mines and industry, or increasingly, forced criminality.

For the Swedish Government, combating trafficking in persons in all its forms remains a high priority.

As traffickers evolve their methods and exploit digital technologies, our response must evolve with equal speed. It must also be coherent across borders.

Criminal networks operate transnationally; our standards, our cooperation, and our investigative methods must be equally consistent and interconnected.

This is why the role of UNODC is so important. By supporting implementation of the relevant conventions and protocols and advancing international cooperation, prevention, investigation, and criminal justice responses, UNODC helps ensure that our collective response keeps pace with an evolving threat.

It is therefore my pleasure to announce that, earlier this month, the Swedish Government decided to provide USD 1 million to UNODC to strengthen efforts to combat trafficking in persons and its links to organized crime by increasing accountability across the criminal justice chain, enhancing transregional cooperation, and ensuring protection and support for victims.

I thank you.