Gargash stressed the importance of utilising academic expertise in each country to counter the growing crimes related to human trafficking that have become a threat to national and international security, as well as economic stability.

?International cooperation to support victims of human trafficking and sharing of experiences to raise awareness on this issue should be treated with top priority. Besides, efforts need to be undertaken to encourage studies, research and educational programmes to eliminate the negative effects of these crimes in the community,? he added.

Emphasising the UAE?s support to all ongoing efforts to fight human trafficking, Gargash said the UAE is fully aware of the complex challenges in this field ? facing states and governments all over the world. Therefore the UAE is working on a number of international partnerships and participating in regional and international efforts to confront such crimes.

As part of its efforts to apply the principles of the United Nations adopted recently, based on the strategic pillars of prevention, prosecution, punishment and promotion of international cooperation, the UAE has taken important steps such as carrying out amendments to Federal Law No 51 to provide more protection for human trafficking victims in the UAE.