On 9 May 2024, Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), attended the 1st meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee in 2024 for the Project for Strengthening Regional Network for Combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Mekong Region, under technical cooperation between the Royal Thai Government and the Government of Japan, chaired by Ms. Sara Binyoh, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). Also presented at the meeting was Mr. SUZUKI Kazuya, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Thailand Office.

The meeting acknowledged the progress of the project implementation with JICA’s support since 2009 which is currently in the 3rd Phase. The project aims to share experience and best practice in combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in the Mekong Sub-region, particularly Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, through Mekong Regional Workshop as part of the project activities.

Deputy Director-General of TICA expressed her appreciation on the progress of the project in all three phases as well as its plan to organize the 12th Mekong Regional Workshop by MSDHS and JICA on 8 – 11 July 2024 in Bangkok under the topic of “Cyber Scam and Forced Criminality: Emerging Trends of Trafficking in Persons in Mekong Region”. The United States Agency for International Development / Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) and the Embassy of Australia will also jointly share their perspectives and experiences in the said workshop. In this regard, she reaffirmed TICA’s commitment for its full support to ensure the success of the event.