New York: Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Secretary-General of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, H E Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani participated in a high-level GCC meeting on regional cooperation to combat human trafficking, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons in New York.
Her Excellency emphasised that Qatar has made remarkable progress over the past two years in strengthening its human trafficking prevention system. This includes updating national legislation, developing specialised institutional structures within law enforcement agencies, and adopting digital tools that use artificial intelligence to monitor and follow up on cases.
In her speech at the event, she noted that the country has also strengthened national partnerships with various institutions, expanded training and capacity-building programmes, and enhanced victim protection through improved shelter and care services, alongside the launch of a unified national platform for receiving reports.
She stressed that these diverse efforts are founded on a consistent vision that prioritises human protection and dignity, establishing an integrated national approach aligned with international best practices.
Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani added that Qatar is currently implementing the National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2024-2026), which is structured around four main pillars: Prevention - Strengthening policies and legislation, intensifying awareness campaigns, and integrating anti-trafficking indicators into transport, aviation, and labour sectors; Protection - Developing shelter mechanisms, expanding psychological, social, and legal support services, improving the national referral system, and ensuring humane and sustainable victim reintegration; Prosecution - Enhancing law enforcement capacities, developing advanced investigation tools, and adopting legislative amendments to ensure more precise monitoring and effective accountability; and Partnerships and Cooperation - Strengthening collaboration with GCC countries and international organisations such as ICAO and UN agencies, alongside developing shared databases and knowledge-based analytics.
Her Excellency commended the significant efforts of GCC states in combating human trafficking, noting that while the region previously relied on international models and response systems, GCC experiences are now increasingly recognised as valuable models for others.
Her Excellency highlighted that, despite the progress achieved, challenges remain, as human trafficking is inherently dynamic and continually evolving, requiring greater readiness, adaptability, prevention, and response.
HE Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani with Special Representative of the International Labour Organization to the United Nations, Samuel-Olonjuwon Cynthia
She emphasised that necessary updates include enhancing data exchange, developing early monitoring tools, building specialised capacities, raising societal awareness, supporting high-risk sectors, and expanding institutional and technical cooperation both within the GCC and internationally.
She stressed that moving forward requires deeper GCC coordination and enhanced collaboration with international institutions and specialised technical expertise.
Her Excellency noted that Qatar's participation in this meeting reaffirms its unwavering support for joint GCC initiatives, its commitment to exchanging expertise with GCC states, the Secretariat, and UN agencies, and its recognition that combating this crime is not an individual responsibility but a shared duty requiring continuous coordination, strong partnerships, and knowledge-based, integrated responses.
She expressed Qatar's firm commitment to working with its GCC partners to build a stronger and more effective regional system to combat human trafficking, protect human dignity, and uphold the values of justice and humanity.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, HE Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani also met with a number of international organisation officials, including Special Representative of the International Labour Organization to the United Nations, Samuel-Olonjuwon Cynthia and Director of the International Organization for Migration Office at the United Nations, Par Liljert.
HE Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani with Director of the International Organization for Migration Office at the United Nations, Par Liljert.
During the meetings, discussions focused on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and explored ways to enhance joint cooperation, particularly in the labour sector and knowledge exchange, contributing to the development and strengthening of the work environment.
