POSITION PAPER ON

RAISING YOUTH AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIMES

BY

ABE OLUWAGBEMINIYI

(LOYOLA JESUIT COLLEGE ABUJA)

THE TAJIK DELEGATE IN THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME

NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS MODEL UNITED NATIONS

NISSMUN 2024
Good morning/afternoon.

The President of the Council, Distinguished Delegates, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Greetings from Tajikistan. I am here today before this distinguished committee to speak about a
matter of great concern that has been overlooked by other challenges facing our world. As much as
Tajikistan has been known for its rich cultural heritage and beauty, it is also one of the nations fighting
seriously against the problems associated with human trafficking and transnational organized crime.
These crimes not only threaten the security and stability of our society but also endanger the future of
our youth. I bring here my position paper regarding "Raising Youth Awareness of Human Trafficking and
Transnational Organized Crimes."

CURRENT SITUATION IN TAJIKISTAN

Tajikistan, with a population of almost 10 million, is strategically located in Central Asia; the country
shares borders with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. This geographic position of the state
makes its development especially promising for trade and cultural relations; on the other hand, it
endangers the country with risks emanating from transnational organized crime. Tajikistan has been
making important strides in the economic sphere, reaching some success in economic development and
poverty reduction. But like many countries in the region, it is faced with such issues as unemployment,
labor migration, and a vulnerable population that can easily fall prey to criminal networks.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIME IN TAJIKISTAN

Tajikistan is also both a source and transit country for human trafficking. Men, women, and children
are trafficked for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse. More critically, the impact is
more disastrous for young people because they are easily targeted for such miserable undertakings. This
is coupled with a lack of awareness and education about the risks presented abroad, making Tajik youth
an easy prey for traffickers due to better opportunities outside their country. Besides, the proximity to
conflict zones only worsens the state of affairs, making it potentially one of the hottest countries for
transnational organized crime.

IMPACTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIME ON THE YOUTH

Human trafficking and transnational organized crime bring into the lives of the youth disastrous
effects, in that it deprives them of dignity, freedom, and a future. Youth, that section of society which
ought to be the pacesetters in changing life and development positively, has been put through webs of
exploitation and abuse. These crimes have a far wider social and economic impact, causing a self-
perpetuating cycle of poverty, disenfranchisement, and instability. Commonly, victims of human
trafficking suffer physical and psychological trauma, loss of educational and work opportunities, and in
some cases stigmatization. More importantly, the larger society is a loser in that its youth are wasted,
and the rule of law is under siege by organized crime networks that prosper through corruption and
violence.

SOLUTIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIME

The positive thing is that Tajikistan is determined to fight this problem with a multifaceted solution,
including the spread of information, improvement of laws, and broadening of international cooperation.
At the same time, the government has already taken measures to increase the security of borders,
systemize the protection of victims, and initiate public awareness campaigns aimed at informing youth
about the impact of trafficking and organized crime. But much remains to do in terms of reaching the
most vulnerable parts of the population, notably in rural areas where there is less information available.
The role of education is very important here. We need to help the young protect themselves and their
peers from falling into traps set by traffickers and criminals through programs that may become a part of
the school curriculum and social media, whereby the message can be disseminated to the most possible
number of young people. More importantly, international cooperation is crucial because Tajikistan
cannot meet these challenges by itself. We need to actively work in close cooperation with neighboring
countries and international organizations in terms of intelligence sharing, better law enforcement across
borders, and the provision of support to victims of trafficking.

CALL TO ACTION

I wish to call all distinguished delegates to appreciate the value of sensitizing the youth regarding
human trafficking and transnational organized crime. We should proceed with the support of these
initiatives in which young people are to be educated and fostered so as to resist the lures of traffickers
and stand up to organized crime. May we work together so that the youth of Tajikistan, like their peers in
the world, will learn how to get the much-needed knowledge and means by which they can make a
better and safer world for themselves.

sipos

POSITION PAPER ON ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE IN ANTI-CORRUPTION AND ANTI-LAUNDERING

ABE OLUWAGBEMINIYI

LOYOLA JESUIT COLLEGE, ABUJA

THE TAJIK DELEGATE IN THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME

NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS MODEL UNITED NATIONS (NISSMUN) 2024

Good morning/afternoon,

Mr. President of the Council, Distinguished Delegates, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Greetings from Tajikistan. Today, I address this respected assembly to discuss a global concern that
jeopardizes the integrity, stability, and future of our societies: corruption and money laundering. While
these issues affect every nation, Tajikistan acknowledges the profound role young people can play in
fostering transparency and accountability, making them crucial allies in the fight against corruption and
financial crime. This paper presents Tajikistan’s commitment to “Engaging Young People in Anti-
Corruption and Anti-Laundering Activities.”

CURRENT SITUATION IN TAJIKISTAN

Tajikistan, located in Central Asia, is strategically situated for trade but also vulnerable to the flow of illicit
funds and criminal networks due to its proximity to conflict zones and major trade routes. Although
Tajikistan has made strides in strengthening its economy, challenges such as high unemployment and
limited economic opportunities persist. These factors can increase the appeal of corrupt practices and
financial crime as temporary escapes from hardship, especially for the younger generation.

Corruption and money laundering threaten the social fabric and economic development of Tajikistan by
undermining trust in public institutions, fostering inequality, and stifling growth. Left unchecked, these
issues diminish resources for education, health, and infrastructure, exacerbating poverty and weakening
society’s foundations. Therefore, young people—representing the ideals of a more transparent future—
must be empowered to take a stand against corruption and financial crime.
IMPACTS OF CORRUPTION AND MONEY LAUNDERING ON THE YOUTH

For young people in Tajikistan and around the world, corruption and money laundering limit
opportunities for growth, diminish the availability of quality public services, and increase social
inequalities. Financial crime often diverts funding from crucial services, depriving young people of
quality education and career prospects. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement,
trapping young individuals in environments where corruption seems like an unavoidable part of life.

When young people are exposed to corrupt practices early on, they may come to view such behavior as
normalized. This can undermine their belief in the rule of law and deter them from participating in civic
life. Therefore, it is essential to engage youth in anti-corruption activities that build awareness and equip
them with the tools to demand integrity, transparency, and fairness in their societies.

TAJIKISTAN'S EFFORTS TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN ANTI-CORRUPTION INITIATIVES

Tajikistan has implemented several programs aimed at educating young people about the dangers of
corruption and financial crime. These efforts include integrating anti-corruption content into the national
education curriculum, organizing youth forums and workshops on the impact of financial crimes, and
launching social media campaigns that encourage the youth to be vigilant and proactive in reporting
corrupt activities. By empowering young people to resist corruption, we can foster a new generation of
leaders dedicated to transparency and good governance.

Moreover, Tajikistan has recognized the importance of international cooperation in its anti-corruption
agenda. Collaboration with neighboring countries and international organizations allows for knowledge
exchange and capacity-building that strengthens our efforts to tackle cross-border financial crime.
Tajikistan remains committed to strengthening its institutions and ensuring that young people
understand the laws and measures in place to prevent corruption and money laundering.

CALL TO ACTION

I urge all distinguished delegates to recognize the transformative potential of our youth in combating
corruption and money laundering. We must provide young people with the knowledge and resources
they need to resist and challenge corrupt practices within their communities. Through educational
initiatives, policy reforms, and cross-border cooperation, we can instill in our youth the values of
integrity and accountability, equipping them to create a future where transparency and justice prevail.
Let us commit to fostering a generation that is not only aware of the dangers of corruption and financial
crime but also empowered to make a difference. Together, we can build a world where every young
person, in Tajikistan and beyond, plays an active role in securing a fair and prosperous society for all.