WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 2026

broader theme of the United Nations and fittingly reflects our recognition of the emerging challenges to our collective efforts in dealing with the scourge of trafficking. Trafficking in persons involves creating a trap filled with deceit and unexpected outcomes. Its evolving nature, particularly through the use of technology for recruitment and coercion, places our youth and women at even greater risk. Jamaica’s efforts therefore must also continue to evolve. That being said, we take care to ensure that Jamaica’s efforts to tackle human trafficking are aligned with established best practices in various regional and multilateral fora, including the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime as well as the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. These national efforts continue to be buttressed by the work of the inter-agency National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), which commemorated its twentieth anniversary in 2025, and in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is honoured to provide critical support. As we observe World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, I reiterate Jamaica’s steadfast commitment to the elimination of trafficking in persons and the dismantling of the criminal networks that facilitate this heinous crime in Jamaica and across the region. Let us use today and Trafficking in Persons Awareness Week, to stand in solidarity with the survivors and their families, offer support to the victims, and strengthen our collective awareness of the circumstances that enable human trafficking. Through vigilance, education, and shared responsibility exercised every day, we can help to protect and support the vulnerable and build a society free from fear and exploitation for our present and future generations. Senator the Honourable Kamin Johnson Smith, JP Minister of Foreign Affair and Foreign Trade