A two-day international summit dedicated to tackling illegal migration has started in London, with representatives from 40 countries, including the US, China, and France, in attendance.
Opening the event, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that human smuggling networks exploit political divisions between countries for their own gain. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in countering this “vile trade.”
This is the first summit of its kind, and British authorities hope it will lead to the development of effective solutions. Immigration remains a pressing political issue in the UK, with opposition parties accusing the government of failing to address the situation.
The summit is attended by representatives from Vietnam, Albania, and Iraq—countries from which a significant number of migrants arrive in the UK. Discussions also involve major tech companies such as Meta, X, and TikTok, as well as Interpol and Kurdish leaders. Participants are exploring measures to dismantle illegal smuggling networks, which generate billions of dollars annually.
Ahead of the summit, British authorities announced a £33 million investment in efforts to disrupt human smuggling operations. Key measures include:
£30 million allocated to dismantling illegal supply chains and human trafficking routes across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
£3 million directed to the Crown Prosecution Service to strengthen investigations into human smuggling cases.
Stricter right-to-work checks for self-employed and gig economy workers. Violators could face fines of up to £60,000 or imprisonment.
A review of how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which concerns the right to family life, applies in migration cases.
£1 million dedicated to tackling human smuggling kingpins in Kurdistan.
A public awareness campaign launched on Vietnamese social media platforms, warning people against trusting smuggling gangs. The summit is expected to produce concrete solutions to combat illegal migration in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.
