The Working Group on Trafficking in Persons (WG-TIP) and the Task Force on Planning and Preparedness (TFPP), Co-Chaired by Indonesia and Australia, are two key components of the Bali Process ecosystem. Both groups work closely together to address overlapping challenges, with a shared focus on countering trafficking in persons, strengthening regional coordination, and improving responses to transnational crime in the Bali Process region.
The Working Group on Trafficking in Persons (WG-TIP) and the Task Force on Planning and Preparedness (TFPP), Co-Chaired by Indonesia and Australia, are two key components of the Bali Process ecosystem. Both groups work closely together to address overlapping challenges, with a shared focus on countering trafficking in persons, strengthening regional coordination, and improving responses to transnational crime in the Bali Process region.
Following a series of events held over 18-21 November in Bangkok, Thailand to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the WG-TIP and strengthen joint coordination efforts across members of the WG-TIP and TFPP, the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO) spoke to the Co-Chairs to reflect on the achievements of the WG-TIP over the past decade, examine ongoing challenges, and discuss priorities for the years ahead.
Caka Alverdi Awal, Director for International Security and Disarmament at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serves as the Indonesian Co-Chair of both the WG-TIP and TFPP. He is joined by counterparts from the Government of Australia—Kathryn Haigh, First Assistant Secretary Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Branch of the Attorney-General’s Department, who serves as Co-Chair of the WG-TIP, and Anita Lewan, Director of Counter People Smuggling at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Co-Chair of the TFPP.
In this interview, the Co-Chairs share their insights on the progress made by the WG-TIP and TFPP, the opportunities and challenges shaping its future, and the collaborative efforts needed to address emerging trends in trafficking in persons across the region.
Kathryn Haigh: It is exciting to see how the WG-TIP has gone from strength to strength over the last 10 years.
The Working Group has come together year on year to discuss trends, issues and initiatives related to trafficking in persons. We have fostered dialogue and understanding of the importance of following the money in trafficking in persons cases and efforts to address exploitation in supply chains, and informed members’ responses to the risks of trafficking in persons created and exacerbated by COVID-19 and advancements in technology.
The criminal misuse of technology, including social media and messaging platforms, is a huge challenge for our region. Technology is used at all stages of trafficking in persons — from recruitment to exploitation, including forced criminality in cyber-scam centres. The Working Group will continue bringing together members to share how we are responding to these challenges. There is so much we can learn from each other.
Cross-sector collaboration is also important. In particular, technology has enormous potential to support counter trafficking efforts, including raising awareness of risks and how to get help, and enhancing law enforcement capabilities. I look forward to seeing what the Working Group can achieve in the next 10 years.
Caka Alverdi Awal: One of the greatest achievements of the WG-TIP has been its ability to adapt to the evolving nature of trafficking in persons in the region. The group has effectively expanded its focus to address emerging issues such as online scams, which exploit individuals through increasingly sophisticated means. Moreover, the WG-TIP has started to explore the intersections between trafficking in persons and other transnational crimes, particularly in relation to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which highlights the interconnectedness of these challenges.
Looking ahead, the opportunities for the WG-TIP lie in continuing to foster collaboration among members to address these evolving trends. Enhancing the use of technology for prevention and victim assistance, as well as promoting cross-sector partnerships, will be crucial to strengthening our collective response to trafficking in persons.
Anita Lewan: As Co-Chair of the TFPP alongside Pak Caka, it has been a pleasure to watch the growth and progress of the Working Groups in the Bali Process during my time working on these issues. The maturity and capacity-building efforts of the Working Groups, particularly the WG-TIP, have been impressive, as it currently serves as a key mechanism for Bali Process members to share information, best practices, discuss emerging trends, and identify opportunities for cooperation and capacity building.
One of the highest-level objectives of the WG-TIP is enhancing information on trends, issues, and initiatives related to trafficking in persons and related forms of exploitation. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen alarming trends in this region, such as the growing abuse of social media, messaging platforms, and other online tools by criminal networks, exacerbating the exploitation of vulnerable people.
A specific concern is the trafficking of people into cyber-scam centres in Southeast Asia for forced criminality, which has become a significant issue. This has been a key focus of our discussions this week. We will continue to work with members and observers in the decade ahead to further identify opportunities for collaboration to address this growing concern.
Anita Lewan: The partnership between Indonesia and Australia as Co-Chairs of the Bali Process, the WG-TIP, and the TFPP is vital to streamlining and enhancing coordination across the entire Bali Process.
Strengthening consultation and collaboration across interrelated issues remains a priority, as demonstrated by events like this week’s policy expert gathering—convened by the TFPP— which included participation from WG-TIP members and observers, showcasing how our collaboration fosters joint planning and progress. Discussions highlighted our mutual understanding, expertise, and focus on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which present both challenges and opportunities in addressing irregular migration, people smuggling, and trafficking in persons.
This shared approach ensures that our priorities align and that both Working Groups can deliver meaningful outcomes.
Kathryn Haigh: As Co-Chairs of the Working Group, Australia and Indonesia have enjoyed a strong working relationship over many years, collaborating to meet member objectives.
The WG-TIP Forward Work Plan 2024-2026 outlines five priority areas: enhancing information sharing, capacity building, fostering practical cooperation, strengthening collaboration with other multilateral and regional organizations, and strengthening engagement the private sector and civil society.
I look forward to working with my Co-Chair, Pak Caka Alverdi Awal, and action item leads to implement these priorities in the years ahead.
Caka Alverdi Awal: As Co-Chairs of the Bali Process and its working groups, Indonesia and Australia share a strong partnership in addressing trafficking in persons, people smuggling, and related transnational crimes.
Indonesia’s leadership is highlighted in the WG-TIP Forward Work Plan 2024-2026, focusing on key priorities such as collaborating with the Government and Business Forum to combat supply chain exploitation, enhancing training aroundcriminalisation of trafficking in persons with the RSO, strengthening cooperation in the Andaman Sea region, and supporting IOM’s work on the impact of disasters on irregular migration. These efforts underscore the shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges effectively.
Indonesia emphasises working collaboratively with other related stakeholders and mechanisms, including ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC), the RSO and the Government and Business Forum, to ensure a comprehensive and impactful implementation of the work plan.
Caka Alverdi Awal: Trafficking in persons is a multifaceted issue requiring the engagement of source, transit, and destination countries. My call to action for members is to strengthen their involvement in the WG-TIP as a platform for dialogue, capacity building, and practical cooperation. By leveraging this forum, members can collectively address shared challenges, exchange promising practices, and enhance regional responses to trafficking in persons.
Collaboration must also extend to non-state actors, including the private sector, media and civil society, to address vulnerabilities across the trafficking in persons spectrum effectively.
Anita Lewan: In line with the strategic direction and key areas for collaboration under the Adeliade Strategy for Cooperation, my call to action is to continue strengthening capacity and coordinated approaches to detect, prevent, investigate, and prosecute people smuggling and human trafficking, and enhance collaboration with regional and international counterparts like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Budapest Process, and the Abu Dhabi Dialogue. Additionally, it is also important to continue engaging with civil society to support and protect survivors.
I also would like to highlight the critical role of the RSO, which provides technical support, training, and capacity building for members. As Co-Chair, I look forward to continued growth in connections across our Working Groups to address these regional—and indeed global—issues, and continuing a close relationship with the RSO to assist in the delivery of Bali Process Working Group objectives
Kathryn Haigh: My call to action for Bali Process members is to invest in cross-sector relationships within your state and the region. Trafficking in persons is a complex issue and we cannot solve it alone.
The Bali Process provides a unique forum for members to facilitate such partnerships, with other states, international organisations, civil society and the private sector in a collaborative regional response to trafficking in persons. The Working Group’s 10th Anniversary Commemorative Dialogue brought together more than 80 participants from 22 states, four UN agencies, civil society and business to discuss current and emerging trends intensifying trafficking risks in our region.
Anita Lewan: The Task Force for Planning and Preparedness focuses on improving regional readiness for irregular migration events and supporting effective responses. Our priorities ahead of the 9th Bali Process Ministerial Conference include strengthening regional responses to irregular migration, addressing the growing use of technology by organised crime groups, and mitigating the vulnerabilities of women and children. We’re also focused on developing early warning capabilities and enhancing the operational coordination of member states in the event of large-scale irregular migration.
Kathryn Haigh: Ahead of the 9th Bali Process Ministerial Conference, the Working Group will work together and with stakeholders to implement our new Forward Work Plan. We will continue to find opportunities to bring the Working Group together, both in person and virtually, to share information and learnings, and find opportunities to collaborate with other Bali Process workstreams, civil society and private sector. We are looking forward to engaging further with members at the RSO Third Constructive Dialogue in February.
Caka Alverdi Awal: The WG-TIP and TFPP will continue to focus on addressing emerging issues, particularly the growing prevalence of online scams and the ongoing challenges faced by Rohingya communities in the region.
Another key priority is tackling the intersections between trafficking in persons and other forms of transnational organised crime, ensuring strategies are developed to mitigate their impact effectively.
Furthermore, the Working Group will strive to proactively identify and respond to new trends, ensuring its initiatives remain relevant and impactful. Strengthening collaboration with regional mechanisms and stakeholders will also be a critical focus to ensure coordinated and sustainable solutions across the region.