PURPOSE: The U.N. Member States adopted resolution A/RES/68/192 and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”. Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. Since 2003 the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has collected information on about 225,000 victims of trafficking detected worldwide. Globally countries are detecting and reporting more victims and are convicting more traffickers. This can be the result of increased capacity to identify victims and/or an increased number of trafficked victims. In September 2015, the world adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and embraced goals and targets on trafficking in persons. These goals call for an end to trafficking and violence against children; as well as the need for measures against human trafficking, and they strive for the elimination of all forms of violence against and exploitation of women and girls.
FORUM: “Human trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation.” World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025. This year’s campaign will highlight the vital role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in dismantling organized trafficking networks while ensuring a victim-centred approach. Human trafficking continues to be a global threat driven by organized crime. More and more victims are being trafficked every year, across greater distances, with greater violence, for longer periods of time and for greater profit. From 2020 to 2023, there were more than 200,000 detected victims globally, which is just the tip of the iceberg. The actual number of unreported cases is believed to be significantly higher. Organized criminal networks are driving this victimization and exploitation, using migration flows, global supply chains, legal and economic loopholes and digital platforms to facilitate cross-border trafficking at a massive scale. They profit from forced labour, sexual exploitation and coercion into criminal activities, such as online scams and drug smuggling. Despite some progress, criminal justice responses fall short in tackling this rapidly evolving crime. To end human trafficking, law enforcement must enforce strict laws, conduct proactive investigations, strengthen cross-border cooperation, target criminal finances, and leverage technology to identify and dismantle trafficking networks..Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #endHT, #30July, #worlddayagainsttraffickinginpersons, #EndHumanTrafficking on all digital platforms.
EVENTS: On July 30th, the United Nations Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC) will host a high-level event to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025. The event will showcase the ways to ensure justice for survivors which requires holding perpetrators accountable and to provide a victim-centred approach to protection, support and access to justice.We particularly encourage law enforcement agencies, including police departments, border security, international agencies, and specialized task forces, to take an active role by utilizing online platforms and conducting in-person outreach at high-traffic areas such as transportation hubs. This way we can reach a wide audience, raise public awareness and promote reporting channels for suspected trafficking cases. The participants active involvement will bridge the gap between the campaign’s global reach and local realities, to ensure that it effectively connects with those impacted by human trafficking. Register to participate!
The UNODC Regional offices and the UNODC partners will also organize many activities in cities across the countries. Get involved!
PUBLICATIONS: ILO Convention against trafficking in Persons. Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published during the 112nd ILC session (2024) Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).
STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations-Secretary General on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025; July 30th, the Joint Statement by the UN WOMEN and the ICAT on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025 and the UNODC Executive Director Video Message on World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025, July 30th.
PODCASTS: The United Nations have underscored the need for governments, businesses and civil society to invest in policies, laws and technology-based solutions that can identify and support victims, locate and punish perpetrators, and ensure a safe, open and secure internet. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: “Human trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation.” To mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025 you are invited to participate to the photo challenge competition and to show support for the campaign to shine the Light on Human Trafficking. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
ACTIONS
PARTNERSHIPS
Encourage everyone, Member States, NGOs, the private sector, all our partners, and stakeholders alike to join this year’s campaign
raise awareness of the signs, share internet safety tips, and highlight best practice examples.
Share your own content and best practice examples of using technology to impede trafficking and support victims
Be vigilant in the online sphere and report suspicious pages or activities to the authorities, e.g., by making use of dedicated online mechanisms or helplines.
Donate to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, which provides on-the-ground assistance and protection to victims of trafficking.
The World Day Against trafficking in Persons is celebrate every July 30th; Member States are encouraged to:
ensure that what is illegal and prosecuted offline is also illegal and prosecuted online.
expand their attention in the fight against human trafficking to cyberspace, including by providing resources for law enforcement and ensuring policies and regulations are in place.
join the Blue Heart Campaign and support victims of Human Trafficking via the UN Voluntary Trust Fund (UNVTF).
Technology-based private sector companies, especially tech companies are called to:
ensure measures and restrictions are in place which prevent the use of technological platforms and tools for trafficking.
use technological ingenuity to fight human trafficking.
proactively identify illegal and harmful material online and take immediate and effective steps to remove it.
The Day is hosted by the UNODC Country Offices; The UNODC New York Office; The UNODC Liaison Office in Brussels (BRULO); The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific; The UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean; The UNODC East Africa; UNODC Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (RONEMA); The UNODC Regional Office of Europe, West and Central Asia, The The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons; The United Nations Foundation; The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); International Labour Organization (ILO); The International Organization for Migration (IOM); The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT); The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR); The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; The International Organization for Civil Aviation (ICAO); The UN. Women; The International criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and many other civil society organization and Non-Governmantal Organizations.