Constructive Talks with IOM Highlight Shared Commitment to Combating Trafficking and Exploitation

Representatives from Stop Trafficking Worldwide have met with officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss the growing challenges surrounding migration and human trafficking in Türkiye and across the wider region.

The meeting, described by both sides as open and constructive, explored how migration pressures, conflict, and economic instability continue to create conditions that fuel exploitation and forced labour.

Both organisations acknowledged the scale of the problem and the differences in how each country and agency approaches it. The IOM, part of the United Nations system, leads global efforts to manage migration safely and humanely, while Stop Trafficking Worldwide focuses on awareness, education, and prevention at community level.

“There are different priorities depending on the country, but the human cost of trafficking is universal,” a representative from Stop Trafficking Worldwide said. “Understanding how agencies like IOM operate helps us see where collaboration can make a real difference.”

Türkiye remains one of the world’s key migration crossroads, hosting millions of refugees and migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, and beyond. With such large movements of people, the risk of human trafficking and exploitation remains high, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and domestic work. According to the Global Slavery Index (2023), around 1.3 million people in Türkiye are living in conditions of modern slavery. Many of those trafficked through the country ultimately end up in Europe, including the UK.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to exchange experiences and understand the operational structures of both organisations. The IOM outlined its work on protection and reintegration programmes for victims, while Stop Trafficking Worldwide shared insights from its “No Slavery Involved” campaign, which promotes ethical, slavery-free supply chains. Discussions included possible cooperation on data sharing, awareness campaigns, and training initiatives for frontline workers.

“We’re stronger when we combine international expertise with community-led action,” the organisation said. “This conversation was about finding where those worlds meet.”

Both sides agreed that tackling trafficking requires long-term cooperation, credible data, and consistent public engagement. Plans are now being explored for future collaboration, including joint events and educational projects promoting safe migration.

Stop Trafficking Worldwide said it hopes this meeting will mark the beginning of a more coordinated and global approach to protecting vulnerable people along migration routes and ensuring that every person’s journey is free from exploitation.