For Immediate Release
Press Release
November 15, 2022, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Safe Migration in Central Asia activity and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Labour Organization in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, started a two-day technical meeting titled "Strengthening National Policies on Trafficking in Persons” for the members of Turkmenistan Mejlis and other key stakeholders. At the meeting the participants will learn about best international practices in anti-trafficking policy development with a strong emphasis on victim-centered approaches. They will also analyze national legislation and the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for relevant government institutions.
In his opening remarks, U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Matthew S. Klimow stated, “Trafficking patterns change and shift - possibly now more than ever in a world upended by the pandemic. Better training for service providers, police and healthcare workers can lead to greater detection and enhanced support. Educating the public in order to raise awareness and foster a sense of responsibility by average citizens is part of this work. We all have a part to play in preventing and countering human trafficking.”
This meeting is key to ensuring that national policies are in line with the Palermo Protocol and introducing mechanisms that are operational and effective.
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The USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia activity, implemented by Winrock International in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, works in close cooperation with local governments, civil society, and the private sector to improve migration practices and prevent exploitation.
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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. For more information on USAID Central Asia, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-
