December 15, 2016
Countering trafficking in persons is a U.S. policy priority in Ukraine and around the world. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch participated in today’s panel discussion “Modern Challenges and Ways of Counteracting Human Trafficking in the Reform Strategy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine” organized by NGO “LEAD Office” in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to give the issue of human trafficking the attention it deserves and encourage Ukrainian authorities and the press to take all possible measures to combat TIP. The Ambassador urged the gathered experts, officials, and journalists to focus on 4 key steps: Understanding the issue, Implementing the new interagency action plan, magnifying efforts/resources, and proactively building trust with stakeholders, including victims, in the fight against TIP.