The Co-Chairs of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime—Australia and Indonesia—convened the 18th Ad Hoc Group Senior Officials’ Meeting on 21 May 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The meeting reviewed the key activities and achievements of the Bali Process since the Eighth Ministerial Conference, held in February 2023. Participants assessed progress made under the Adelaide Strategy for Cooperation, discussed national and regional priorities, and reviewed the implementation of commitments from the Eighth Ministerial Conference and the Third Government and Business Forum.
The Co-Chairs of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime—Australia and Indonesia—convened the 18th Ad Hoc Group Senior Officials’ Meeting on 21 May 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The meeting brought together Ad Hoc Group members to review key activities and achievements of the Bali Process since the Eighth Ministerial Conference held in February 2023. Participants assessed progress under the Adelaide Strategy for Cooperation, discussed emerging regional priorities, and reviewed the implementation of commitments made at both the Ministerial Conference and the Third Government and Business Forum (GABF).
Key highlights of the meeting included:
Thematic Presentations on:
- The development of a program of action on AI and online scams, presented by the Regional Support Office (RSO).
- Regional perspectives on irregular migration, delivered by UNHCR and IOM.
- Updates from Ad Hoc Group Members outlining national and regional priorities for 2025 and 2026, including future engagement plans.
Reports from Working Groups, including:
- The Working Group on Trafficking in Persons (co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia)
- The Working Group on the Disruption of People Smuggling and Trafficking Networks (co-chaired by Viet Nam and New Zealand)
- The Technical Experts Group on Returns and Reintegration (co-chaired by the Philippines and Australia)
- The Task Force on Planning and Preparedness (TFPP) (co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia)
- Updates were also provided by the Government and Business Forum Secretariat and RSO Co-Managers, highlighting progress in the implementation of work plans and recommending future programs and activities.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Co-Chairs' Statement, reaffirming member commitment to enhanced cooperation and strategic engagement to address the complex challenges of people smuggling, trafficking in persons, and related transnational crimes in the region.