Photo by Patrick Gruban (CC BY-SA 2.0)

On December 18, 2025, the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Improving the Coordination of Efforts Against Trafficking in Persons [3]. The resolution strongly condemned human trafficking, particularly of women and children. The Assembly further reiterated the need for a comprehensive international response to human trafficking and noted that member states are obligated to prevent, investigate, and punish the perpetrators of trafficking.

The resolution echoed the need for universal ratification and effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime [4] and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol [5], to help member states reinforce their political commitment and legal obligations. The mandate aims to promote a comprehensive and coordinated response to counter human trafficking, support a human rights-based, gender- and age-sensitive approach that addresses all factors that make individuals vulnerable to trafficking, raise awareness within the UN system and among states and stakeholders, and foster cooperation and coordination among all relevant parties.

The Assembly recalled the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [6] goals to  eliminate all forms of violence against women and children in order to end the exploitation, forced labor, trafficking, and modern slavery.

The Secretary-General has been requested to submit a report on the implementation of the resolution on the eighty-second General Assembly session and included recommendations on measures to bring greater urgency in improving coordination in efforts to combat trafficking in persons.