From Stockholm to Rio - stakeholders must come together to contribute to fight against trafficking of children, says OSCE special representative

GENEVA, 17 September 2008 - The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Eva Biaudet, said today that international co-operation, partnership and self-monitoring mechanisms at a national level are crucial elements in better fighting child trafficking.

"To generate tangible results in the fight against human trafficking, the work must be carried out at both national and regional levels, and implemented locally," said Biaudet.

"A self-monitoring mechanism at national level is a key element for a regional understanding of human trafficking and for developing ways to fight this crime. We should strive for synergy of priorities together with our international and civil society partners to strengthen our common message to governments that eliminating this problem is a matter of priority"

She was speaking on models of inter-sector and regional co-operation for the protection of children at the preparatory meeting for the World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 25 to 28 November.

"As a former Finnish Minister, I know that success only comes from greater ownership of the problem, and from decisive action aimed at achieving viable solutions at the national level," said Biaudet.

"The OSCE, as a regional security organization which unites 56 countries, is a forum in which political commitments, regular dialogue and co-operation among countries strengthen the exchange and expertise necessary to implement concrete actions. Still, to combat trafficking, the primary responsibility remains within the participating States. Our efforts in showing synergies between EU and OSCE commitments have borne fruit since more EU Member States now carry out the implementation of similar commitments, such as the establishment of national rapporteurs or equivalent mechanism."

The OSCE special representative said the World Congress III should focus on concrete solutions and on implementing existing commitments. The Europe and Central Asia Preparatory Meeting is organized by ECPAT, ILO/IPEC. The recommendations for action from the region will serve as inputs into the World Congress.

The First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was held in 1996 in Stockholm.