Global Engagement in Counter-Trafficking
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) champions the inclusion of efforts in international transportation fora to counter human trafficking.
Transportation ministries that play an important role in combating human trafficking include the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the G7, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Transport Forum (ITF).
Over 50 APEC and ITF transportation ministers have committed to tackling the issue of human trafficking.
DOT led the development of comprehensive counter-trafficking strategies for ICAO’s 193 member States and APEC’s 21 member economies.
Global Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking Across the Transportation Sector
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Working Group
Over 50 APEC transport ministers committed to combating human trafficking in 2013, 2017, and 2023. DOT also spearheaded the development of a multimodal APEC counter-trafficking strategy to provide guidance and recommendations for transportation ministries, agencies, and operators.
- Chair's Statement of the 11th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting, 2023
- A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation
Sector Within APEC Economies, 2021 - APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting Statement, 2017
- APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting Statement, 2013
G7
G7 transport ministers committed to increase public awareness about the illicit use of transportation systems for human trafficking.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations
DOT led efforts to propose counter-trafficking resolutions that were adopted by ICAO’s 40th and 41st Assemblies. The resolutions call on ICAO member states to adopt and implement counter-trafficking policies, reporting protocols, and training, and to give due regard to a comprehensive strategy.
DOT led the development of ICAO's comprehensive counter-trafficking strategy for member States, civil aviation authorities and organizations, aircraft operators, and airports.
- 41st ICAO Assembly Resolutions, 2022
- Document 10171, A Comprehensive Strategy for Combatting Human Trafficking in the Aviation Sector, 2023
- 40th ICAO Assembly Resolutions, 2019
International Transport Forum (ITF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Over 50 ITF transport ministers committed to cooperate globally with public and private sector entities to combat human trafficking involving transport networks, and to raise awareness of security issues among the travelling public and transport service providers.
Resources for International Engagement
A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Aviation Sector
This resource enhances national counter-trafficking policies and procedure frameworks and equips states, civil aviation authorities and organizations, and aircraft operators and airports with guidance and recommendations to inform their development of comprehensive counter‐trafficking strategies inclusive of laws, leadership, policies, reporting protocols and response mechanisms, partnerships, training, public awareness, data collection, information-sharing including trafficking survivor-informed recommendations and perspectives, and victim and survivor support.
A Comprehensive Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Within APEC Economies
This resource equips transportation ministries, agencies, and operators with guidance and recommendations to inform their development of comprehensive counter-trafficking strategies inclusive of human trafficking laws, leadership, policies (including social responsibility and employee responsibilities), reporting protocols, partnerships (including law enforcement and non-governmental organizations), training, public awareness, data collection, information-sharing, and victim and survivor support.
Additional resources within the appendices offer counter-trafficking tools for transportation ministries, agencies, and operators to adapt and tailor, including a model comprehensive counter-trafficking strategy, proclamation, and public leadership statement.