Governments and business combatting modern slavery: Julia Bishop, Australian Foreign Minister

https://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2018/jb_mr_180808c.aspx/

Governments and businesses from across the Indo-Pacific region are working closer together through the Bali Process to end human trafficking and modern slavery. According to the International Labour Organisation, 62 per cent of the 40 million victims of modern slavery reside in the Indo-Pacific region.

Governments play the key role in establishing clear policies and legislations to eradicate these practices, but cannot achieve this alone – the role of business is critical.

At the seventh Bali Process Ministerial Conference, business leaders of the Government and Business Forum presented a set of recommendations for closer collaboration to end modern slavery, which were welcomed by all 25 ministers.

The recommendations are built around three pillars: Acknowledge, Act, and Advance (AAA). They outline practical steps to raise awareness of modern slavery, strengthen policies and legislation, and implement ethical business practices.

The AAA recommendations will give momentum to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s target on modern slavery and human trafficking.

We congratulate the business co-chairs Mr Andrew Forrest AO, Chairman of Fortescue Metals Group and founder of the Walk Free Foundation, and Mr Eddy Sariaatmadja, founder and Chairman of the Emtek Group, on leading consultations to develop these recommendations.

Bali Process members reaffirm our commitment to deepen engagement with business and civil society to eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery.

Australia extended our condolences for the loss of life due to the recent earthquakes and expressed our appreciation to the Indonesian authorities for their assistance in the evacuation of the Australian delegation that had been in Lombok