Global Engagement in Counter-Trafficking
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) works to ensure that counter-trafficking remains a priority on the agendas of the international bodies that govern global transportation, and has led the development of comprehensive strategies for the aviation sector and for APEC economies.
DOT's engagement spans four principal fora: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the G7, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Transport Forum.
Global Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking Across the Transportation Sector
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Working Group
APEC transport ministers pledged to combat human trafficking in 2013, 2017, and 2023, with over 50 ministers committing to the cause. DOT spearheaded a multimodal APEC counter-trafficking strategy that gives transportation ministries, authorities, and operators concrete guidance and recommendations to act on.
- Chair's Statement of the 11th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting, 2023
- APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting Statement, 2017
- APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting Statement, 2013
- A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation
Sector Within APEC Economies, 2021
G7
G7 transport ministers have committed to raising public awareness about the illicit use of transportation systems for human trafficking.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations
DOT authored and advanced the counter-trafficking resolutions adopted by ICAO's 40th, 41st, and 42nd Assemblies. The resolutions call on member States to implement counter-trafficking policies, reporting protocols, and training, and to follow a comprehensive strategy in doing so. DOT led the development of the comprehensive strategy, which is designed for member States, civil aviation authorities and organizations, aircraft operators, and airports.
- 42nd ICAO Assembly Resolutions, 2025
- 41st ICAO Assembly Resolutions, 2022
- 40th ICAO Assembly Resolutions, 2019
- Document 10171, A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Aviation Sector, 2023
International Transport Forum (ITF), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
More than 50 ITF transport ministers have committed to working globally with both public and private partners to combat human trafficking across transport networks, and to raise awareness of security risks among travelers and transport providers alike.
Resources for International Engagement
A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Aviation Sector
This strategy helps states, civil aviation authorities and organizations, aircraft operators, and airports strengthen their national counter-trafficking frameworks. The resource offers guidance across the full range of an effective response, including laws, leadership, policies, reporting protocols and response mechanisms, partnerships, training, public awareness, data collection, and information-sharing, including the perspectives and recommendations of trafficking survivors, and support for victims and survivors.
A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Within APEC Economies
This strategy equips transportation ministries, agencies, and operators to build comprehensive counter-trafficking programs spanning trafficking laws, leadership, policies (including social responsibility and employee responsibilities), reporting protocols, partnerships with law enforcement and non-governmental organizations, training, public awareness, data collection, information-sharing, and victim and survivor support. The resource's appendices include ready-to-use tools that organizations can adapt to their own needs, including a model counter-trafficking strategy, a proclamation, and a public leadership statement.