The Economic Cooperation Organization and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on January 11 agreed to hold a regional workshop on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. The decision was taken during the meeting between ECO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Kashif Zaman and IOM Chief of Mission in Iran, Ms. Lalini Veerassamy, held at IOM Mission in Tehran.
The workshop will bring together the policy and operation level experts from the public sector along with representatives from civil society and international organizations. The two-day workshop will focus on various important issues about human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, including enhancing capacity in migration management in the ten ECO member states, all of which are also members of IOM, to strengthen cooperation mechanisms for labor migration; reduce irregular migration; raise public awareness of migration health issues and human trafficking; initiate counter-trafficking activities; promote voluntary return and integration options for migrants; improve legal and policy frameworks and support intergovernmental dialogue.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kashif Zaman said ECO was committed to establishing integrated and sustainable regional economies through improved governance and enhanced cooperation. He said ECO Vision 2025 also envisaged establishing law enforcement and police mechanisms to assist national and international efforts to combat illegal drugs, human trafficking and other trans-regional organized crimes. He said ECO was ready to join hands with its international partners to effectively conduct projects and programs for the development of the region.
