Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity Denys Uliutin told the UN that Ukraine is preparing a state programme to combat human trafficking, as the full-scale Russian invasion has created conditions for the expansion and transformation of this phenomenon.
He made the statement on Monday, November 24, during a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly reviewing the Global Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking.
“Displacement, vulnerability, and loss of livelihoods have increased the population’s exposure, while digital platforms and artificial intelligence expand the reach of human traffickers far beyond borders,” Uliutin said.
According to him, Ukraine’s experience demonstrates how human trafficking evolves in conflict conditions and that the protection system must adapt just as quickly to stop it.
The minister emphasized that children remain among the most vulnerable groups, particularly those who have lost or been separated from their parents. Women and children seeking refuge abroad face a high risk of sexual and labor exploitation, while men are increasingly subjected to forced labor.
He also highlighted “new, harsher forms of exploitation,” including the forced relocation of civilians, including children, to Russia, the use of men from occupied territories in the Russian war, and hybrid models combining sexual and labor exploitation.
Uliutin added that Ukraine is preparing a new state programme to combat human trafficking through 2030, aligned with EU legislation, which will include measures against human trafficking, the creation of an independent national rapporteur, and support for internally displaced persons, victims of violence, veterans, and individuals returning from captivity.
“The scale and speed of human trafficking today demand a global solution,” the minister said, outlining key directions for combating the phenomenon. These include deeper and more predictable cross-border cooperation; accountability of tech companies for abuses via social media and AI, as well as mandatory cooperation with law enforcement; prevention of exploitation as a critical component of Ukraine’s recovery; and stable, long-term funding for the protection system.
“Every delay means the loss of freedom for another child, another woman, another man,” the minister stressed.
He concluded that human trafficking in conflict conditions requires a specialized global system that combines protection, accountability, and safeguards against technological abuse.
