CBSS TF-THB meets in Gdańsk to strengthen regional cooperation against human trafficking

On 20 and 21 May 2026, the CBSS Task Force Against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) held its third and final meeting under the CBSS Polish Presidency in Gdańsk, Poland. The meeting brought together experts and representatives from across the Baltic Sea Region to discuss recent developments, exchange experiences, and strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against human trafficking.

The first day focused on current human trafficking trends, anti-trafficking responses, and the work of the border police in Poland and the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Presentations highlighted the importance of strong multi-stakeholder cooperation at the local level, strong legislative frameworks, innovative awareness-raising campaigns, and victim-centred investigations.

On the second day, participants reviewed recent CBSS initiatives and shared national experiences, good practices, and ongoing challenges. Discussions addressed the instrumentalisation of migration, including reflections from the recent seminar on the instrumentalisation of migration organised in Warsaw on 17 April 2026. TF-THB members also provided updates on legislative, political, and practical developments in their respective countries, highlighting both emerging risks and evolving response mechanisms across the region.

Throughout its term, the Polish Presidency of the TF-THB has focused on countering forced labour, strengthening local teams, and enhancing child protection systems. The three meetings organised under the Presidency illustrated the responses of local, national, and cross-border stakeholders in tackling human trafficking as part of the broader landscape of organised crime and regional stability.