MANILA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in combating human trafficking, the Philippine government said on Friday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed the MOU on Thursday at the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Under the MOU, the DFA said the Philippines and the UAE "will adopt procedures to combat human trafficking, share best practices, exchange information, promote human rights, and provide assistance in the protection, rescue, repatriation, recovery, and rehabilitation of trafficking victims in accordance with domestic laws."
The signing of the MOU also seeks to strengthen the bilateral relations and cooperation between the Philippines and the UAE, added the DFA.
Both countries have ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
By forging international cooperation and arrangements, the Philippines hopes to intensify the government's efforts to help prevent and stamp out this global problem.
The Philippine government estimates the number of overseas Filipino workers at 12 million.
