Cairo, Egypt – CCCPA--in cooperation with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TiP)-- conducted a training course on “Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants, National Frameworks: South Sudan” in Cairo from 17-19 January 2022. South Sudanese participants from different professional backgrounds and government departments attended the training.

The training comes within the framework of Egypt’s priority to strengthen bilateral cooperation with South Sudan in all fields. It aims to support South Sudan's efforts to develop relevant national frameworks and legislation in combating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants by familiarizing participants with African best practices and experiences.

In his opening remarks, Amb. Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General of CCCPA, stated that "this training was organized in the context of the Center’s transnational threats program, which seeks to enhance the capacities of African countries to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, as they are transnational crimes that are linked closely to issues of peace and security.”  He also expressed his appreciation for the Swiss government’s support to CCCPA’s programs in this field.

On her part, Amb. Naela Gabr, Chairperson of NCCPIM&TiP, provided an overview of Egypt's efforts in developing national frameworks and legislation in the field, and the Committee’s important role in this context.

Amb. Neveen El-Husseiny, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration, Refugees and Combating Human Trafficking, Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the devastating effects of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants on the safety of societies and sustainable development, highlighting Egypt's role at the international level in combating these crimes.

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt, Yvonne Baumann, praised Egypt's role in supporting peace and stability, both in the region and internationally, and its policies in the field of migration, especially combating smuggling of migrants. She also commended the cooperation with CCCPA, stressing the “need for synergetic efforts to address the challenges facing countries in these areas.”

The training examined several topics, including (i) anti-trafficking frameworks, including acceding to and implementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC); (ii) the most important national experiences in this context; (iii) the role of the national protection system in the identification, referral and assistance of victims of human trafficking; and (iii) providing protection and rehabilitation for victims of trafficking.

The training comes as part of the project on “Enhancing Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa V”, funded by the Government of Switzerland, through UNDP.