Trafficking in human beings concerns all OSCE participating States, crossing all OSCE dimensions as a security threat, and is also an economic and human rights issue. Virtually all countries in the OSCE region experience human trafficking—whether in their countries or with their citizens exploited by traffickers abroad, or both. 

In 2003, the Organization set up the Office and post of Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings to assist participating States in developing and implementing effective policies through a victim-centred, human rights-based approach. 

Key to the OSCE’s work is tracking the latest trends and evolving methods of the crime, such as the growing use of technology and trafficking for criminal activity, and to help the Organization’s States and partners adapt their efforts. With a global estimate of 27.6 million victims and US$236 billion in annual profits, all citizens in the OSCE region have a role to play to protect both their societies and the victims exploited by traffickers, as well as to prevent the crime from growing further.