The event was organized by the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Combating Human Trafficking and Decent Work in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration.

It was attended by representatives of government agencies, law enforcement agencies, the judicial and legal system, international organizations, the diplomatic corps, civil society institutions, and Central Asian countries.

The Conference has become an important international dialogue platform aimed at analyzing the results achieved in the field of combating human trafficking, discussing global challenges and identifying priorities for national and regional cooperation. During the event, attention was focused on modern threats of human trafficking, in particular, new risks arising from digital technologies, online recruitment platforms, fraudulent schemes and the activities of transnational criminal networks.

Within the framework of the global theme "Trapped in fraud", announced this year in connection with the World Day against Human Trafficking, special attention is paid to the issues of preventing exploitation in the digital space, strengthening preventive measures and early elimination of risks.

Opening the conference, Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Chairman of the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Decent Work Tanzila Narbayeva noted that in the New Uzbekistan, combating human trafficking has become one of the priorities of state policy to ensure human rights, social justice and decent work.

Today, human trafficking is not only a crime-fighting issue, but also a complex global threat inextricably linked to human rights, labor relations, migration, digital technologies, and social protection.

"The biggest achievement in the fight against human trafficking is not saving victims, but preventing the emergence of new victims," Tanzila Narbayeva emphasized.

Strengthening preventive approaches, raising legal awareness and legal culture, and improving decent work and social protection mechanisms are also important in preventing human trafficking.

According to Andrew Gray, head of the representative office of the International Organization for Migration in Uzbekistan, "human trafficking is changing faster than ever. Criminal networks are actively using digital technologies, and their transnational nature and complexity are growing. Therefore, the response must also include systematic approaches aimed not only at investigating and protecting victims, but also at preventing exploitation before it occurs."

It was emphasized that the recently adopted Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On additional measures aimed at radically improving the system for identifying victims of human trafficking and integrating them into society" introduces a completely new system for early identification of victims of human trafficking, assessment of their needs and comprehensive coverage of social, legal, psychological and medical services in the country.

During the event, within the framework of three thematic sessions, an exchange of views took place on the prevention of digital threats and new forms of exploitation, improving mechanisms for early detection, identification and protection of victims of human trafficking, as well as their rehabilitation, redirection and strengthening regional cooperation between the Central Asian States.

During the discussion, it was noted that the fight against human trafficking should be based not only on law enforcement agencies or criminal prosecution, but also on coordinated government policies in the areas of prevention, social protection, labor, migration, education and health.

The participants noted that coordinated actions by government agencies, civil society institutions, international organizations and development partners are essential for preventing human trafficking and protecting victims.

Representatives of the Central Asian States expressed their readiness to consistently continue practical cooperation in protecting and assisting victims of human trafficking and migrants at risk, as well as further improving mechanisms for cross-border cooperation.

The importance of improving the mechanisms for cross-border redirection of victims between the countries of Central Asia, strengthening the operational exchange of information between authorized bodies, launching joint training programs for specialists and the systematic development of interparliamentary dialogue was also noted.

Following the conference, a communique was adopted defining priority areas for preventing human trafficking and further strengthening practical cooperation between the Central Asian States.