UNODC Briefs on TIP Report for Secretary General

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000205 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KWMN PREF SMIG KCRM KTIP UN SUBJECT: UNODC Briefs on TIP Report for Secretary General -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. UNODC Executive Director Costa and John Sandage, Deputy Director of UNODC's Division of Treaty Affairs, briefed member states on UNODC's report to the UN General Assembly, in advance of the May 13th thematic debate on trafficking in persons. The paper, entitled "Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons," is currently embargoed, but member states were provided a three-page summary. Sandage stated that the report reflects the responses received from 100 member states and 31 regional, intergovernmental and non-governmental stakeholders on how to achieve effective coordination of efforts to combat human trafficking and how to ensure full implementation of all trafficking legal instruments. Sandage added that the report would fully reflect the various positions on the advisability of a Global Plan of Action to combat human trafficking. End Summary. -------------- Report to SYG -------------- ¶2. Following Costa's introduction, Sandage presented a summary of the draft report (Note: Copy emailed to GTIP April 30. Missionoff is also attempting to secure an embargoed copy of the final report ahead of its release. End note.) Sandage spoke of the report's three components: (1) ensuring full and effective implementation of all legal instruments, (2) ensuring full and effective coordination of efforts and (3) the pros and cons for the adoption of the Global Plan of Action on TIP. Although Costa asserted that the UNODC, as the secretariat, has no official position on a Global Plan, he seemed favorably inclined to such an exercise in New York. Sandage attempted to be more balanced, touching the pros and cons of a Global Plan, and specifically expressing concern that such a plan might impact implementation of regional programs. Sandage also informed the delegations that the report would be fully footnoted and annotated to show which stakeholder or member state expressed what position. -------------- Delegations -------------- ¶3. Keeping in line with his delegation's focus on data collection, the Argentinean representative expressed support for UN.GIFT's Global Report on Human Trafficking as a first step, but asserted a need for increased attention to making the data in such reports more comprehensive and reliable. The Guatemalan Ambassador highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts and the inadequacy of regional cooperation, concluding with an endorsement for a Global Plan. Costa responded that he could detect the desire for a Plan of Action, and informed the delegations that, in fact, advocates for a Global Plan in New York would be submitting to the UNGA President a draft Global Plan for member states' consideration. Belarus expressed its satisfaction of the contents of the UNODC draft report, voiced support for a Global Plan, and the hope that the report would be translated and available on the internet. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶4. The release of the UNODC's report to the SYG before the thematic debate in NY will spur further discussion on a Global Plan. With the comments and footnotes to reflect member state and stakeholder positions, readers of the report will have a much better sense of who would favor a Global Plan. Such transparency should help member states to advance their positions. End Comment.