Across the world, countries are facing a growing scale and complexity of irregular migration challenges – in response to external pressures linked to humanitarian disasters, conflict and political instability, and economic inequality. People smugglers facilitate other people’s illegal entry into a foreign country by various methods, for example, by producing, procuring, providing, or possessing fraudulent travel or identity documents, bribing officials, and arranging transport to secretly cross an international border. Complex criminal networks take advantage of those seeking opportunities and a better life, charging high prices for dangerous and illegal journeys, with people who are extremely vulnerable to other forms of crime including trafficking in persons.

The Bali Process’ role in strengthening cooperation and dialogue across Members and Observers to tackle criminal activity and reach, uphold migrant rights, support registration and integration, and reduce people exploitation is more important than ever.