Viet Nam, UK sign action plan to tackle human trafficking

The action plan will reduce risks of human trafficking by discouraging dangerous journeys, disrupting trafficking gangs, and supporting victims to rebuild their lives.

During their meeting prior to the signing ceremony, the two ministers agreed to continue the exchange of delegations to promote bilateral cooperation between the two ministries.

"Working closely with international partners is vital and this plan allows us to go after criminals both in the UK and Viet Nam who are profiteering off people's desperation," said British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

"Together with the Government of Viet Nam, we are working to shut down these vile trafficking gangs and prevent more people from becoming their victims," she added.

Both sides also committed to active implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in human trafficking prevention and combat, the Memorandum of Understanding on sharing immigration information, and the Memorandum of Understanding on immigration issues.

Delivery of the joint action plan is supported by up to £1 million of funding over the next year through the Home Office Modern Slavery Fund.

Since 2018, the UK has invested over £7 million to strengthen Viet Nam's anti-trafficking response through the Modern Slavery Fund which has identified 720 victims of trafficking and migrants in vulnerable situations, reached over 7 million people with awareness campaigns and educated 1,936 aspiring migrants to the risks of human trafficking.

In his remarks at the Summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on nations to pool resources to tackle the problem of illegal migration at "every step" of the route, from North Africa and the Middle East to Britain's streets.

Starmer spoke at a meeting of more than 40 countries and organisations, including the United States, France and Viet Nam, aimed at coordinating global efforts to counter illegal migration and the people-smuggling gangs who profit from it./.