High-Level Meeting on the Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons
United Nations, 24 November 2025
Mr. President,
Cyprus aligns with the statement just delivered by the European Union. Allow me to make some further remarks in my national capacity.
We welcome the convening of this High-Level Meeting, as a unique opportunity to asses our progress, address gaps and reaffirm our determination to combat trafficking in persons.
On this 15th anniversary, Cyprus reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
It was indeed a great honour for Cyprus, along with Tajikistan, to co-facilitate this important process leading to today’s High-Level Meeting and the adoption of the 2025 Political Declaration. Today’s adoption by consensus is a strong message reinforcing our collective commitment to combat trafficking in all its forms.
Mr. President,
Cyprus is unequivocal in its position that trafficking in persons is a grave violation of fundamental human rights, and an affront to our shared values.
It is a heinous crime transcending borders, with a complex and volatile nature; a serious global issue affecting millions of people of all ages, worldwide. We are seriously alarmed by the statistics from the latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.
Learning from its own weaknesses and challenges, Cyprus has recognized the need for a comprehensive and victim-centered approach, making substantive progress in preventing and combatting this crime.
In this respect we have enacted a robust legal framework to criminalize all forms of trafficking in persons, to strengthen the penalties for offenders, as well as ensuring the protection of victims, aligned with European and international standards. For example, Cyprus recently amended the relevant legislation, criminalizing the creation of child sexual abuse material with the use of artificial intelligence, alarmed by the fact that technology is being weaponized for exploitation and victimization of children.
Furthermore, Cyprus has adopted a strategy for the prevention and tackling of human trafficking and the protection of the victims for 2023-2026, aiming to deal with the issue in a comprehensive and integrated way. The current National Action Plan includes a set of 38 actions, constantly evaluated by the Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group.
[Trafficking in persons is a crime driven by economic profit. Thus, Cyprus, together with OSCE, developed a strategic analysis report on “Financial Intelligence information for Combating trafficking in human beings” with the purpose to alert, assist and support obliged entities in the detection of suspicious transactions and suspicious activities, possibly related to trafficking in persons].
Mr. President,
We need to stand firm in our conviction that human dignity is non-negotiable. No one, I believe, could have been unaffected by the powerful statements in the opening segment, particularly those of Ms. Soriano and Ms. McKenzie, as victims, survivors, and powerful advocates. There was a loud clarion call to us all for action.
On this important day, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to combat this heinous crime, protect victims, prosecute perpetrators, and strengthen partnerships between Governments, the UN system, Civil Society, and the Private Sector, to enhance coordination and cooperation.
As such, Cyprus stands ready to continue to actively contribute to our global efforts.
I thank you.