The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) successfully hosted the 10th Manila International Dialogue (MID) at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, bringing together distinguished leaders, policymakers, and advocates under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.”
Celebrating a decade of fostering partnerships and advancing solutions against human trafficking, the 10th MID focused on overcoming challenges and strengthening regional cooperation to combat this heinous crime.
The event featured two compelling TIPTalks:
TIPTalk 1: “Trafficking in Persons Trends and Patterns at the Regional Level and the Need for Enhanced Regional Cooperation”
Presented by H.E. Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Representative of Malaysia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), this session explored the latest trends in trafficking across Southeast Asia and emphasized the urgent need for strengthened regional collaboration.
TIPTalk 2: “Mutual Legal Assistance in Trafficking in Persons Cases”
Delivered by State Counsel Mildred Bernadette B. Alvor, this session highlighted the critical role of cross-border legal cooperation in ensuring justice for trafficking victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
The dialogue also included updates from four Technical Working Groups (TWGs), which presented their priorities in addressing emerging issues in human trafficking:
TWG on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC): Focused on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership strategies, including launching international awareness campaigns, strengthening digital literacy, enhancing aftercare services, and improving law enforcement capacity.
TWG on Emerging Issues and Trends: Highlighted victim-centered approaches, regional referral mechanisms, and collaboration with international partners to address new forms of trafficking such as those facilitated by technology.
TWG on Household Service Workers and Tourist Workers: Recommended stricter regulation of recruitment agencies, improved support systems for migrant workers, and collaboration with social media platforms to combat illegal recruitment.
TWG on Fishers and Seafarers: Advocated for ratifying key international conventions, establishing fair recruitment practices, and strengthening fisher protection through cross-agency collaboration.
The theme reflected the MID’s commitment to addressing the barriers hindering anti-trafficking efforts while building stronger bridges of collaboration among nations, organizations, and communities.
As part of the 10th-anniversary celebrations, the MID also paid tribute to its decade-long journey, highlighting significant milestones and achievements in combating trafficking in persons.
The Manila International Dialogue continues to stand as a beacon of hope and action in the global fight against human trafficking. By fostering innovation and partnership, the MID paves the way for a more unified and effective regional response to protect victims, prosecute traffickers, and prevent exploitation.
