The 2026 International Conference on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking, organized by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), opened in Taipei today (August 25). Held for the 18th consecutive year, the conference has become an important platform for Taiwan to exchange anti-human trafficking policies and practices with international partners. Taiwan has also maintained Tier 1 status in the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report for 16 consecutive years. This year’s conference brings together government officials, civil society representatives, academics, and experts from 11 countries, including Japan, to share policies and practical experience, focusing on forced labor, labor exploitation in supply chains, and the identification and protection of migrant workers, distant-water fishing crew members, domestic workers, and international students.
Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang stated that anti-human trafficking efforts should not be measured solely by the number of cases detected. Equally important is the government’s responsibility to identify victims early, provide legal assistance, medical care, shelter services, and other support, and help them leave situations of exploitation. In 2025, judicial police authorities referred 158 suspected human trafficking cases to district prosecutors offices for investigation. Through public-private collaboration, 25 shelters were operated across Taiwan, admitting 103 foreign victims and providing services including daily care and legal assistance. To address emerging forms of exploitation, including overseas recruitment scams and forced labor, the amended Human Trafficking Prevention Act, which took effect in 2024, criminalizes compelling individuals to engage in criminal activities and strengthens victim identification and shelter protections. Taiwan is also deepening cooperation with other countries through international conferences and law enforcement and judicial exchanges, seeking to be not only a learner from international anti-trafficking experience, but also an active partner and contributor.
The MOI noted that the conference has invited Professor Tomoya Obokata of the University of York in the United Kingdom, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, to deliver the opening keynote address, “Emerging Practices in Addressing Labour Exploitation in Global Supply Chains.” His presentation examines international policy trends including corporate criminal liability, human rights due diligence (HRDD), import restrictions on products made with forced labor, government procurement, and protections for migrant workers. He also recommends that Taiwan further strengthen oversight, stakeholder participation, and access to remedy to reduce the risk of labor exploitation in supply chains.
The MOI emphasized that the ultimate goal of combating human trafficking is not only to bring offenders to justice, but, more importantly, to disrupt risks before exploitation occurs so that everyone can live and work free from violence, threats, and exploitation. Taiwan will continue to strengthen victim protection, corporate responsibility, and cross-border cooperation, while drawing on international experience through ongoing exchanges to further advance its anti-human trafficking efforts.
Lauch Ceremony: Professor Tomoya Obokata, University of York, UK (Left 1); Eric Frater, Deputy Director (Acting), American Institute in Taiwan (Left 2); Chi Lien-Cheng, Minister without Portfolio, Executive Yuan (Center); Liu Shih-fang, Minister, Ministry of the Interior (Right 2); Lin Horng-En, Director-General, National Immigration Agency (Right 1)