On July 1, 2025, Ambassador Michel Veuthey was invited to deliver a lecture titled “Migrations and Human Trafficking at Sea” to the 42 participants of the second Summer Session of the Académie de la Mer de Monaco.

He highlighted the growing number of modern slaves, estimated at 50 million by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the increased vulnerability of migrants and workers at sea. He emphasized the need for humanitarian action within the framework of local and international law to address the root causes of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.He mentioned the need for increased cooperation between all stakeholders, including Governments, international organizations, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, humanitarian NGOs, businesses, unions, faith-based organizations (such as the Scalabrinians, ICMC, and the G20 Interfaith Forum), local communities, media outlets (especially radio stations broadcasting in local languages), and universities and training institutions (such as the San Remo International Institute of Humanitarian Law). He added that the Order of Malta is developing an online course against human trafficking with UNITAR, planned for January 2026. He emphasized that victims and survivors should play a role as witnesses, experts, and actors in prevention, training, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

HERE the Ambassador’s presentation.