INTRODUCTION

The Continental Operational Centre (COC) for Combating Irregular Migration, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is convening a consultative forum under the theme, Senior Officials Consultative Forum on Trafficking in Persons for Forced Criminality, bringing together senior officials from selected African Union Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The Forum will focus on the growing challenge of trafficking in persons for forced criminality involving African nationals in Southeast Asia. In recent years, trafficking networks have increasingly relied on digital technologies, such as social media platforms, encrypted communication channels, and online commerce systems, to recruit and exploit victims across borders. Many individuals are lured with promises of employment, only to find themselves trapped in scam centres and other criminal operations.

African countries have made notable progress in addressing trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. Many have ratified and domesticated the Palermo Protocols and established national initiatives to address these crimes. However, significant challenges remain, including limited monitoring systems, gaps in coordination, and constraints affecting frontline responders responsible for implementing national procedures. The Forum therefore provides a timely platform for dialogue among Member States and partners to strengthen cooperation, share experiences, and discuss practical responses to this emerging trafficking trend.

About the Consultative Forum

The Senior Officials Consultative Forum on Trafficking in Persons for Forced Criminality will take place from 24–25 March 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Forum will bring together representatives from AU Member States and RECs whose citizens have been affected by trafficking for forced criminality. Participants will examine trends, share information, and explore ways to strengthen collaboration between Africa and Southeast Asia.

Trafficking forforced criminality has become an increasingly complex form of exploitation. Criminal groups are using online platforms and emerging technologies to recruit victims and move them across borders. In several cases, victims have been forced to participate in online scams and other illegal activities while being held under exploitative conditions.

The forum will provide an opportunity for Member States to discuss coordinated approaches that support prevention, victim protection, and cooperation among relevant institutions.

General Objective

To strengthen cooperation among African Union Member States and Regional Economic Communities in responding to trafficking in persons for forced criminality through improved coordination, information sharing, and joint action.

Specific Objectives

The aim of the workshop is to:

1. Build a common understanding and approach among Member States on innovative ways of combating Trafficking in persons as forced criminality as a new and emerging trafficking trend in the region.
2. Identify and agree on joint continental initiatives to promote victim protection and assistance for TIP victims of forced criminality.
3. Agree on a framework for joint coordination, information sharing, and best practices in combating this new and emerging trend in TIP between Africa and Asia.
4.  Forge a common voice in preparation to engage with relevant Member States in ASEAN, including their relevant stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes

1. A common approach to combating trafficking in persons in forced criminality between Africa and South East Asia.
2. A draft Action framework to promote collaboration and initiatives.

PARTICIPANTS

The Forum will bring together:

1. Senior officials of AU Member States in charge of combating TIP from selected countries in various regions of the continent, whose citizens have been affected by the trafficking in persons in forced criminality, according to IOM Data.
2. Other Member States based in Addis Ababa will also be invited to the Forum. Further, Senior officials of various UN offices and international organisations dealing with irregular migration will also be invited.

Note on the COC

The Continental Operation Centre (COC) is a Specialised office of the African Union (AU) that was established to coordinate and facilitate Member States' comprehensive responses to combat irregular migration, particularly Trafficking in Persons, and Smuggling of Migrants.  The Centre was established by the 32^nd Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly of the AU Heads of States and Governments held from 10- 11 February 2019. The main mandate of the Centre is to support AU Member States and RECs in developing innovative initiatives and responses in combating irregular migration, particularly, the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Africa.