On 29 April, TNTD/SPMU participated in the 3rd Informal Working Group (IWG) meeting on Migration and Refugee Flows in Vienna. The main topic of this meeting was combating crime in the context of migration and refugees flows. Introductory remarks were presented by the Swiss Permanent Representative to the OSCE and the Chair of the IWG. On 11 and 12 May, TNTD/SPMU participated in the meeting of the National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinators of South-Eastern Europe organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development in Tirana, Albania. Participants discussed the situation of unaccompanied and separated children within irregular migrant groups in South-Eastern Europe, and identified challenges, along with potential adequate protection measures. Actions to increase international cooperation were also explored and discussed. On 25 and 26 May, TNTD/SPMU participated in a conference organized by SELEC and supported by the EU on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Migrant Smuggling in Bucharest, Romania. The purpose of the conference was to provide a forum for experts to discuss regional approaches, best practices and challenges in preventing and countering trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants in South-Eastern Europe, as well as to strengthen regional cooperation. In addition, participants evaluated the regional situation regarding THB and smuggling of migrants and elaborated on joint future activities. The conference served to strengthen the network of representatives from SELEC participants, and was important for TNTD/SPMU in order to enhance ties and collaboration with other practitioners. In addition, the meeting aimed at evaluating the past and current regional situation on THB and smuggling of migrants for future planning of operational activities. On 17 June, TNTD/SPMU attended a high-level launch event of the project “Combating Human Trafficking along Migration Routes” in Vicenza, Italy. The event was opened by the OSCE Secretary General and attended by representatives of the OSCE executive structures, interested OSCE pS and Partners for Co-operation, international organizations, civil society, academia and the media. On 6 and 7 July, TNTD/SPMU participated in a training session on challenges and responses to the global migration crisis, co-organized by the IOM and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Geneva, Switzerland. TNTD/SPMU was invited as a keynote speaker, and delivered a presentation on law enforcement challenges in combating THB. On 31 August and 1 September, TNTD/SPMU, together with the IOM and UNODC, organized a Regional Workshop on 24 enhancing and Strengthening International and cross-border co-operation in addressing Irregular Migration-related Crimes in the Western Balkans, in Podgorica, Montenegro. This workshop aimed to promote interactive discussions regarding persistent challenges and to identify efficient measures and possible shortcomings in international and cross-border co-operation on irregular migrationrelated crime. The subjects of prevention, prosecution and assistance provided to victims, migrants and refugees were closely examined. Senior experts within criminal justice and migration authorities attended the event, including law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, officials from relevant ministries, liaison officers based in the Western Balkans, along with representatives of international and nongovernmental organizations who address migration-related issues and representatives of the private sector. From 20 to 23 September, TNTD/SPMU met a representative of the Mongolian Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, senior officials from the National Police Agency, senior police officers from different divisions of the Criminal Police Department, senior officials from the Law Enforcement University, midlevel officers and instructors from the Border and Police Service Institute and NGOs in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. TNTD delivered a presentation on their activities, including in violent extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism (VERLT), and the OSCE approach on Anti-Trafficking in Human Beings. The meetings provided a clear picture of Mongolia’s expectations and wishes with regard to OSCE support. On 21 October, TNTD/SPMU attended a conference entitled “Human Trafficking and its Victims – New Developments”, held in Vienna, Austria on the occasion of the EU AntiTrafficking Day. The conference was organized by the Task Force Menschenhandel Austria in co-operation with OSR/ CTHB, the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation, and the IOM. Panellists and participants discussed ways to address human trafficking in the context of crises-driven migration. On 26 October, TNTD/SPMU participated in and contributed to a dialogue workshop entitled “Mapping Migration Challenges in EU Transit and Destination Countries” in Budapest, Hungary, which was organized by the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of the “Euro-Mediterranean Political Research and Dialogue for Inclusive Policymaking Processes and Dissemination through Network Participation” (EuroMeSCo ENI) Project. The workshop brought together members of the research group on migration, along with academics and practitioners, who discussed the main challenges related to migrants and refugee flows in select EU destination and transit countries and their impact on the EU policy framework.

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