Good morning and welcome to the USAID Asia Counter Trafficking In Persons Evidence-Gathering Summit.  We are glad you are here.

Together we make up a diverse group.  We have representatives from the governments of Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.  We also have civil society and non-government organizations, international organizations, private sector partners and donors.  Each and every one of you has a role to play.  Not in only in helping prevent human trafficking, but also in providing assistance to trafficking survivors in the region.

As you already know, trafficking in persons is a global human rights challenge.  The criminal networks involved in trafficking make huge profits by preying upon the most vulnerable in our region.  This destructive practice breaks down rule of law, corrupts global commerce, and severely disrupts the social fabric in affected communities. 

Moreover, it doesn’t do justice to the sanctity of the human spirit - - imbued in each and every human being.

In Asia, we are witnessing significant political, social, and economic changes that directly impact human trafficking. 

We have seen individuals fleeing source countries for political reasons.  We also know economic migrants from Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia and other countries sometimes may be pursuing better economic opportunities.  But who then find themselves trafficked - or in conditions of forced or even slave labor. 

Regardless of how people are trafficked, the egregious violation of human rights is the same.  That is what USAID seeks to prevent - and I know all of you share that same vision.  Freeing victims, preventing trafficking, and bringing traffickers to justice are all essential elements of the U.S Government's anti-human trafficking policy.

USAID currently implements programs to combat human trafficking in major source nations in Asia including Bangladesh, Cambodia and Nepal for example.

In partnership the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), we work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to increase awareness of trafficking among youth, who face particular vulnerabilities to trafficking. 

The sheer scale and complex nature of human trafficking in Asia demands careful consideration. A robust and coordinated response by all CTIP stakeholders in Asia is demanded.

And that is why we are here today.  In spite of our collective efforts, trafficking in persons is not abating.  An estimated twenty-one million people are currently trapped in slave-like conditions as a result of human trafficking!  We must turn that trend around; we need your help.  That is why we’ve invited you here this week, to bring your ideas, experience, and passion to the table.

We look forward to a productive two days of robust, frank, open, and honest discussion on how we can, together, better combat human trafficking across Asia.  So, thank you again for coming, and for your active participation today and tomorrow. We look forward to our continued partnership moving forward.