The necessity and effectiveness of close co-operation in the fight against human trafficking was emphasized by participants at a one-day seminar held on 26 August by the OSCE Office in Baku.The event is aimed at increasing the overall understanding of the positivebenefits of cooperation between state authorities and non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs) in the implementation of a comprehensive NationalAction Plan (NAP) against human trafficking, which was adopted by Azerbaijan in May of this year. (28 August 2004)

The goal

The event was aimed at increasing the overall understanding of the positive benefits of co-operation between state authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) against human trafficking adopted by Azerbaijan in May 2004.
In his opening speech, Robin Seaword, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, said that the government of Azerbaijan, non-governmental, international and intergovernmental organizations should work in synergy to be effective in abolishing trafficking,
Then speaking Deputy Interior Minister Zahid Dunyamaliyev, the National Coordinator for Implementation of NAP, underlined that by adopting the Action Plan, Azerbaijan clearly indicated to the world community its strong commitment and proactive stance in fighting human trafficking.
The NAP encompasses further improvement of the legal framework, creation of a special police department against human trafficking, ensuring protection of victims and consolidation of resources and activities of the relevant government, non-government and international organizations.
The event was attended by some 100 representatives of Baku-based and regional NGOs, officials of ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs as well as journalists covering human trafficking in Azerbaijani press, representatives of the Ombudsman Institute, international organizations, embassies and independent experts.*