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

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SUMMARY
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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.

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Report to SYG
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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.

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Delegations
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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.

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Comment
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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.