The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), in cooperation with the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) and APLE, convened an inter-ministerial meeting of the NCCT Working Group on the Prevention of Human Trafficking on 30 September 2026 in Phnom Penh. The meeting reviewed progress and agreed directions for continued implementation.
His Excellency Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, chaired the meeting as Chair of the Prevention Working Group.
Strengthening education, outreach and participation
The meeting aimed to strengthen compliance with national policies, the Sustainable Development Goals, and regional and international commitments. It focused on the role of education and outreach. It also focused on the participation of civil servants, the public, youth, children and communities in protecting vulnerable people and preventing all forms of human trafficking.
A grave violation of rights and a risk to national development
His Excellency described human trafficking in all its forms as a grave violation of human rights and children’s rights, and a serious risk to national development. He highlighted the threats that unsafe migration, forced labour, sex trafficking and online abuse pose to children and young people.
He reaffirmed MoEYS’s commitment to:
- making schools safe havens
- expanding life-skills education
- strengthening learning and reporting systems
- empowering young people to recognise and avoid trafficking risks
A whole-of-government, cross-sector approach
Led by MoEYS, the Working Group unites key ministries and institutions across justice, interior, social affairs, labour, health, information, telecommunications, tourism, commerce and law enforcement. Development partners, including APLE and Plan International, are also members.
This whole-of-government, cross-sector approach is essential to protecting children, offline and online.
Working together
Preventing trafficking requires government, civil society and communities to act together. Children and young people are part of this response, and their participation shapes how prevention works. As a member of the Prevention Working Group, APLE is proud to work alongside MoEYS, NCCT, and partners across sectors to keep children safe.
