Muscat – The annual symposium on combating human trafficking kicked off under the theme of ‘Addressing Challenges and Optimising Opportunities and Roles of Effective National Actors’ on Monday.

The three-day symposium is organised by the Foreign Ministry and the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, in cooperation with the UN Office tasked with narcotics and crimes in GCC states.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of H E Sheikh Khalifa Ali al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs in the Foreign Ministry, Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking.

H E Harthy said that Oman plays a major role in combating the crime of human trafficking and all malpractices that violate noble human values or degrade human dignity.

The committee presses ahead with its mission in accordance with relevant international and regional treaties and agreements aimed at addressing human trafficking through cooperation with local and international partners, he added.

This symposium underscores the solidarity of all national authorities entrusted with combating human trafficking. It also reflects Oman’s keenness to spread community awareness and train specialists within the context of global cooperation in this regard.