In Marrakesh, on 12 February 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) called on governments to place migration and trafficking at the centre of global efforts to end child labour. Speaking at the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, IOM emphasized the need for stronger data, research, and cross-border cooperation to better protect children on the move.
IOM data show that over 125,000 victims of trafficking have been officially identified worldwide, though the true number is believed to be far higher due to underreporting and gaps in detection. Nearly 30,000 of these victims are children, meaning that roughly one in four detected trafficking victims globally is a child. IOM Director General Amy Pope stressed that millions of migrant children face heightened risks of exploitation yet remain largely invisible in policy and protection systems, calling for urgent global action.
The conference, hosted by the Government of Morocco and the International Labour Organization from 11 to 13 February, convened governments, UN agencies, businesses, civil society, and youth leaders to accelerate the elimination of child labour. IOM highlighted the importance of robust data and research to identify risks, inform prevention strategies, and guide targeted interventions. A joint IOM–Harvard study examining two decades of child trafficking data underscores the links between child labour, migration, and trafficking, pointing to the need for closer alignment between child protection, migration, and anti-trafficking systems.
IOM emphasized coordinated, rights-based responses through partnerships, particularly in its role as Chair of the Migration Action Group. The Organization highlighted progress under the IOM–Save the Children–UNICEF Global Programme on Protection for Migrant Children, which is strengthening cross-border case management and referral systems in the East and Horn of Africa and North Africa to reduce risks along migration routes.
IOM reaffirmed its commitment to working with governments, UN partners, civil society, and youth networks to ensure that child labour elimination strategies include children on the move and are guided by stronger evidence. The Organization also called for sustained investment in policies and programmes that prevent exploitation and protect vulnerable children, as well as improved global indicators that reflect migration and trafficking realities.
As part of its youth-focused initiatives, IOM presented WakaWell, a platform designed to help young people across Africa make safe and informed migration decisions. The Organization’s participation in the conference was supported through the multi-year COMPASS programme, which strengthens migration governance systems while upholding migrant rights.
