Human trafficking, with its increasing rates worldwide is now considered one of the most abominable crimes against humanity. Targeting poor societies it represents the dark side of globalization. Some years ago, the Government of Egypt has taken several precautionary measures to prevent and combat human trafficking, starting with its ratification of the United Nations Protocol on the Preventing, minimizing and penalizing of Human Trafficking supplementing the United Nations charter on Combating Transnational Organized Crime.

Today, we feel proud of the achievements made by our campaign in this respect. I am sure that pursuit of this work can reinforce our efforts and all endeors for its implementation. Starting this year, the private sector has been a major partner to this campaign, with the number of partners from the business community under the Davos Forum increasing. In all international meetings addressing this phenomenon, Egypt has been an active participant.

Today in Sharm El-Sheikh, we can see many members of the business community who express their interest in joining us. I expect Egypt to win the leading position in combating human trafficking. In this connection I would like to commend the role played by businessman Mohammad Shafeeq Gabr and wish other businessmen will give  and do their best.

The lives of thousands who are being exploited every day in this form of slavery depend on efferts you'll exert in this field.

This disguised enslavement is being perpetrated by disguised companies that gain huge profits from this crime. Look into your homes and ask yourselves how many things there have been manufactured through the enslavement and exploitation of humans.

Some believe that human trafficking is restricted to adults and women, but figures show that around 30- 40 per cent of the volume of victims of such trafficking are children.

I invite all governments to take deterring measures to combat and address this phenomenon through legislating stringent laws and instituting specialized units to handle its victims. We always hear that human trafficking is restricted only to women, but the fact is that there are many other aspects, notably child labor, where people should be well-informed in this respect.

I would like to extend greetings to all companies, that I have described as respectable, as they were not involved in child labor. I would like also to thank the Forum for including on its agenda this important topic. I believe we must greet all companies that do a good job in this domin.