Trends in Irregular and Mass Migration and THB

March 26, 2025 6:00 am - 7:30 am
Human trafficking: offshore protection and prevention in the UK Amanda Read National Vulnerability Lead /UK Border Force
From Legal to Illegal: Exploring Migration Dynamics and Readmission Policies in the Western Balkans Dr Vesna Tasevska-Dudeska Chief Inspector for Foreigners and Readmission /Ministry of Interior, Republic of North Macedonia
Leveraging Digital Forensics to Combat Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Ed Doleman SVP & Head of EMEA /Cellebrite , UK
Challenges and Strategies in Securing Nigeria's Borders Against Drug & Human Trafficking George-Okoli Francisco Chidi Director of Programs /West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) Nigeria
Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Ghana Henry Kumah Inspector /Ghana Immigration Service
Leveraging Digital Forensics to Combat Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Matt Parker International Advisory Board member /The Exodus Road, USA

According to UNHCR figures by May 2024, more than 120 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. This includes 43.4 million refugees, 63.3 million internally displaced people, 6.9 million asylum seekers and 5.8 million people in need of international protection.
But it is not just conflict and persecution that drives migration. Economic and educational opportunities are also major drivers and, in the years to come, climate change will play an increasing role in setting people on the move. Human traffickers exploit these people at their most vulnerable to extort money and drive migrants into slave labour and the sex trade.
Whether it is conflicts, natural disasters or economics, the flow of migrants from poor southern countries to rich northern ones is probably only going to increase.
So, what are current trends in migration and what further can be done to tackle those bad actors that are ready to exploit these people when they are at their most vulnerable.