On 26 June 2023, the Central Asia regional simulation training “Combating trafficking in human beings: sustaining multi-agency collaboration through simulation-based training exercises” kicked off in Astana, Kazakhstan. The training, initially developed by the OSCE, brings together all five countries of Central Asia and is supported by the Prague Process along with other partners gathering over 120 participants at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

During the opening, Rector of the Law Enforcement Academy, Head of the Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Deputy Head of the OSCE Program Office in Astana, Head of Political Section at the U.S. Embassy in Astana as well as the Head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region & Head of the Prague Process Secretariat, ICMPD, addressed the issue of trafficking in human beings and their work against it. All the partners acknowledged that combatting trafficking requires a coordinated approach between the various actors focusing on the needs of trafficked persons. Within the next five days of the training, all agencies involved in the simulation will perform their roles to identify and assist several victims of labour and sexual exploitation, as well as identify and prosecute the traffickers.

The training thereby provides a unique space for trial and error to facilitate cooperation in the anti-trafficking work in real life.