Sexual exploitation of children

JAKARTA: Over 200 government leaders are scheduled to meet in Bangkok, Thailand, from Oct. 16 to 18, to develop an action plan to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The meeting will be attended by representatives from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as young people themselves, the Bangkok-based East Asia and Pacific regional office of the United Nations Children's Fund said in a statement on Friday.

The meeting is aimed at increasing regional solidarity and action in the fight to protect vulnerable children and to review progress in meeting commitments made in the past.

The meeting will also examine efforts that have been made in combating this global threat to children's rights and to share regional best practices designed to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children, and to aid the rescue, recovery and reintegration of child victims.

Commercial sexual exploitation of children is widespread in the Asia-Pacific region and there is also increasing experience in combating this crime, according to the statement. -- JP