Zonta UN New York Committee member, Janat Clemendor, attended the World Trafficking Day side event at the United Nations last month.
Zonta UN New York Committee member, Janat Clemendor, attended the World Trafficking Day side event at the United Nations last month. The event convened leading experts to shed light on the critical issue of human trafficking in Asia and beyond. Janat reported back that the panel included Ms. Levite Anh, County Director of Hagar Vietnam; Ms. Malian Enlund, Head of Safety Policy for META Asia-Pacific; and Mr. Gabriele Scarpa, Police Adviser for the Office of the Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations.
Together, they presented sobering statistics: 90 percent of the global criminal organizations involved in human trafficking originate from Asia, with 61 percent of the perpetrators being young men aged 20 to 39. The panel emphasized how rapidly evolving technologies, especially social media platforms and artificial intelligence, are being weaponized to facilitate cybercrime and exploit vulnerable individuals. These tools enable traffickers to operate with greater reach and sophistication, making detection and prevention increasingly complex. Despite these challenges, the panel highlighted strong cooperation among global police forces, working across borders to dismantle trafficking networks and provide protection for victims. The discussion underscored the urgent need for innovative strategies and enhanced international collaboration to confront this pervasive crime. Ultimately, the event reinforced the commitment of the global community to combat human trafficking, safeguard human rights, and support survivors on their path to recovery.
22 AUGUST 2025
