July 2007

1. Tbilisi, Georgia: Launch of the regional project "Development of comprehensive anti-trafficking response in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia"

   12 July 2007

   This regional ILO project, implemented in partnership with the OSCE and ICMPD, will be launched on the 19 July 2007 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The project offers measures leading to a long-term perspective against trafficking in human beings in the Southern Caucasus by contributing to and enhancing National Action Plans and the legal framework against THB in all three countries, and by fostering regional and international cooperation. It aims at awareness raising among stakeholders and potential victims. The project will involve labour market institutions in preventive action and improve identification, protection and assistance of victims trafficked for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation. Since human trafficking mainly occurs in the context of irregular migration, the project proposes a range of measures that aim at promoting legal migration. It will contribute to increased dialogue and cooperation among government agencies, social partners and NGOs in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia as well as major destination countries. The project is funded under the European Commission’s TACIS Programme, which provides grant-financed technical assistance to countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It will be implemented over a period of two years. Additional co-funding will be provided by ILO and partner organisations.