The Chargé d'Affaires of the USA, Neil Vermillion, delivers a speech
On March 26, a five-year meeting of government representatives and civil society members from the United States and Mongolia took place, discussing the achievements and challenges arising under the Child Protection Agreement (CPA) between the two countries.
As part of the Child Protection Agreement, the USA allocated $6.5 million in foreign aid to organizations such as World Vision and The Asia Foundation, as well as to local partners to strengthen the fight against human trafficking in Mongolia.
President Trump reaffirmed the United States' commitment to combating human trafficking, highlighting the administration's successes in countering forced labor, increasing funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and assisting victims in rebuilding their lives. This new concept of foreign aid, based on the principle of "America First," ties funding to the administration's priorities, ensuring tangible results for the safety and prosperity of the American people.
"Today's meeting provides an opportunity not only to acknowledge the results achieved but also to take on specific commitments that will ensure the further development of these achievements. We aim for the legacy of this agreement, amounting to $6.5 million, to manifest in creating safer conditions for children, strengthening families, and a justice system that prioritizes children's interests so that no child suffers from exploitation," noted Chargé d'Affaires of the USA Neil Vermillion.
This U.S. initiative aims to strengthen the rule of law and protect children in collaboration with an important strategic partner in Asia.
Under the CPA, Mongolia has developed and approved standards and procedures aimed at identifying cases of human trafficking, assisting victims, and creating eight child-friendly zones. The legal framework for combating human trafficking has also been improved, and the first national rehabilitation center for children who have been victims of sexual violence and exploitation has been established. These steps contribute to protecting victims and strengthening cooperation with law enforcement to combat transnational criminal networks.
Participants in the CPA dialogue included Chargé d'Affaires of the USA Neil Vermillion, Acting Senior Coordinator of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Mark Forstrom, as well as the Deputy Attorney General of Mongolia and representatives from the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Protection and the Crime Prevention Coordination Council.
