UNIAP

The United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (UNIAP) works to provide a strong coordinated response to human trafficking in Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. UNIAP has an extensive network of government, local and international non-government organizations, UN and International Organisations and donors throughout the six countries. The Project has also become the secretariat to the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking (COMMIT) Process.

UNIAP is currently in its third phase in which it aims to make a tangible and sustained impact on human trafficking in the region, continuing a more cohesive, strategic and incisive response. While UNIAP is an inter-agency project, UNIAP receives funding from its own bilateral and multilateral funding and not from UN agencies, allowing it to retain a neutral position within the UN that serves all UN agencies, governments and NGOs equally. It is the only inter-agency coordinating body on human trafficking of its kind within the UN system.

The UNIAP Lao PDR Country Project Office is responsible for coordinating UNIAP’s work in Lao PDR and is actively involved in implementing national and regional initiatives, including training, multilateral and bilateral partnerships, victim protection guidelines, awareness raising and private sector engagement. UNIAP Lao works closely to support the Lao PDR Government implement its commitments under the COMMIT MOU to counter human trafficking. The Lao Office is headed by a National Project Coordinator (NPC) and comprises both national and international staff. In addition to the NPC, the office is staffed by a Project Officer (PO), an Information Analyst (IA) and a Project Assistant (PA).