AMO Joins UNODC Panel to Address Trafficking Data and Irregular Migration in Africa

AMO Joins UNODC Panel to Address Human Trafficking Data and Irregular Migration in Africa

During the third panel “International partnership for better data on trafficking in persons” organized by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The session highlights innovative trafficking data collection and reporting practices by ILO, IOM, and UNODC, including the endorsed IC-TiP system to improve data collection.

Amb. Namira Negm (Dr), Director of AMO emphasized that tracking automated data via sea, air, and land is easier than recording movement in handwritten books. This limitation affects the provision of timely data on migration and impacts migration governance. It also highlights the challenges of tracking data related to irregular movement in Africa, making individuals vulnerable to smugglers. Strong partnerships are essential to protect these individuals and address these issues. H.E also noted the African Union's (AU) efforts to combat trafficking challenges through the Continental Operational Centre in Sudan dedicated to combating irregular migration.

Stine Laursen, IOM - UN Migration highlighted the International Criminal Trafficking Initiative Partnership (IC-TIP), a joint initiative between the International Organization for Migration (IOM - UN Migration) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aimed at improving data quality through the harmonization of standards and definitions. Since 2023, UNODC and IOM have actively engaged in capacity building with Member States through the COMPASS program.

Gady Saiovici, International Labour Organization ILO emphasized that administrative data only reveals the tip of the iceberg. To gain a better understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of the issues at hand, additional methods are needed, especially given the overlaps between trafficking and forced labor.

Amb. Namira Negm (Dr), Director of the African Migration Observatory (AMO), participated alongside high-level speakers from global and regional institutions, including Stine Laursen, Senior Data Analyst, IOM; Gady Saiovici, Senior Economist, ILO. The panel was moderated by Fabrizio Sarrica, Research Officer, UNODC. AMO's presence at hashtag#IFMS2025 was significant to bring the African Union's voice to the table.