Kingstown St. Vincent May 18, 2026-St Vincent and the Grenadines was represented at a high-level regional meeting on human trafficking held at the headquarters of the Organization of American States in Washington DC last week.
Superintendent of Police Junior Simmons, head of the country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit, attended the Eighth Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons from May 14 to 15.
The meeting, chaired by the Government of Guatemala, brought together regional officials, international organisations and experts to discuss emerging threats and strategies linked to trafficking in persons across the Americas.
Discussions focused on issues including the recruitment of minors by organised criminal groups, forced labour linked to labour migration, and the growing use of digital platforms in the exploitation and trafficking of children.
Participants also examined challenges surrounding data collection and regional cooperation in combating human trafficking.
During the meeting, Superintendent Simmons delivered a national presentation outlining St Vincent and the Grenadines’ progress and experiences in tackling trafficking in persons between February 2024 and May 2026.
According to the police force, the presentation highlighted national achievements, best practices and lessons learned in addressing the issue.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the “Recommendations of Guatemala on Trafficking in Persons”, a regional framework calling for stronger laws to combat the recruitment of minors by criminal groups, expanded public awareness campaigns and improved institutional responses to the misuse of social media and digital technologies in trafficking activities.
While in Washington, Superintendent Simmons also met with St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ambassador to the United States and the OAS, Lou-Anne Gilchrist, along with embassy staff.
The biennial meetings are held under the rotating chairmanship of member states of the OAS as part of ongoing regional efforts to strengthen cooperation against human trafficking across the hemisphere.