On 10 December 2025, following twelve months of coordinated planning and collaboration among H.E. Prof. Michel Veuthey, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; Mr. Kevin Hyland, OBE, LLM, CEO of Praeveni Global; and Father Prof. Dr. Hans Zollner, SJ, Director of the Institute of Anthropology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, a high-level conference on human trafficking was convened at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. This event commemorated the 25th anniversary of the signature of the Palermo Protocol.
The conference brought together representatives from governments, international organisations, academia, faith-based institutions, civil society, business leaders, criminal justice actors and politicians to reflect on the evolving challenges of human trafficking and to strengthen global responses. Distinguished participants included the Honorable Pamela Bondi, United States Attorney General; H.E. Don Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta; H.E. Dr. Josef D. Blotz, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta; His Eminence Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, H.E. Dr. Stefano Pizzicannella, Special Envoy of Italy on Human Trafficking, and Archbishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor Emeritus of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Throughout the day, discussions focused on key priorities for collective action, including structural reform, strengthening the rule of law, victim-centred protection, and strategic prevention. Speakers underscored the urgent need for integrated national and international strategies to prevent trafficking, support victims, dismantle criminal networks, and address the systemic failures that allow exploitation to persist.
Beyond legal and political analysis, participants also heard firsthand accounts of fieldwork carried out by law enforcement agencies such as Ireland’s An Garda Siochana, the FBI and INTERPOL, as well as by religious and humanitarian organisations, including the Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta (CISOM), the Polish Association of the Order of Malta and United Nations’ Special Rapporteurs. These contributions highlighted the practical realities of combating trafficking on the ground.
The data presented by Praeveni Global indicates that less than half a percent of the estimated 50 million victims worldwide are identified each year. Unfortunately, traffickers continue to replace victims, and the scale of the business is increasing, now generating over US$236 billion in annual criminal proceeds.
The conference called for action and resource mobilisation. Panellists noted that, despite many legal frameworks and increased awareness, implementation is lacking. Human trafficking persists, threatening the rule of law, economies, security, life and human dignity.
Participants emphasised that combating human trafficking is both a moral and a legal obligation, not an act of charity. Effective action requires the engagement of all sectors of society, including governments, international organisations, businesses, trade unions, sports organisations, transport providers, media, academia, NGOs, faith-based institutions (FBOs), and, survivors, who must be recognised as agents of change.
Effective prevention should include education at all levels on the urgent issue of preventing and combating human trafficking. In this regard, online courses in English and French are planned. Dedicated academic chair on trafficking could be established at Catholic universities, following the example of American universities that have created chairs on climate change.
Efforts to combat human trafficking incorporate a spiritual component. Participants emphasized the significance of prayer for victims, those providing assistance, and even traffickers. The consensus was that only coordinated action, rooted in common moral and spiritual principles, can alter prevailing trends and support the elimination of modern slavery.
Special thanks to the conference sponsors, the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), the Semnani Family Foundation, the British Standards Institution (BSI), the CUHD Foundation, and the Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta (CISOM), for their generous support.
Photos by Mr. Nicusor Floroaica, Photographer of the Sovereign Order of Malta
Access the Website of the Conference HERE
Access the Report of the Conference : REPORT
