A Global Charge: The United Nations Launch of the Global Commission’s Report to End Modern Slavery

A Landmark Moment at the United Nations

This week, the halls of the United Nations Headquarters in New York resonated with a powerful message: the global fight to end modern slavery and human trafficking has reached a decisive turning point. The Global Commission’s landmark report was officially launched—a strategic, urgent call for unified international action.

This was not merely a ceremonial event. It marked a foundational shift, affirming that coordinated leadership across governments, business, and civil society is not just desired—it’s essential. The presence of global figures, survivor leaders, and high-ranking officials gave the launch both gravitas and momentum.

Voices from Across the Movement

What made the gathering so impactful was its breadth. Government leaders, UN agencies, survivor advocates, corporate leaders, and civil society partners all stood shoulder to shoulder. This diverse alignment underscored a critical truth: no single sector can end modern slavery alone.

The atmosphere was one of solemn resolve and shared purpose. Each voice brought perspective, reinforcing the need for an ecosystem-wide response to one of the most pervasive human rights crises of our time.

Survivor Leadership: Nasreen Sheikh’s Message of Truth and Hope

Among the most unforgettable moments was the testimony of Nasreen Sheikh, a survivor leader whose voice cut through the room with piercing clarity. Her words were a reminder that behind every statistic in the report lies a real person, a family, a future.

Nasreen’s message grounded the high-level policy discussions in humanity. Her courage to speak, not as a victim but as a changemaker, infused the dialogue with urgency and hope. It was a solemn honor to witness her leadership.

Business as a Catalyst: Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Role

Business can and must be a force for good. That was the core of the message delivered by John Schultz, Chief Operating Officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). He spoke eloquently about the responsibility of corporations to lead with integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Schultz emphasized that the private sector is not just part of the solution—it is essential to it. Through data-sharing, ethical procurement, and supply chain transparency, companies like HPE are demonstrating how innovation can support human rights.

Leadership at the Highest Level: Baroness May’s Advocacy

As Chair of the Global Commission, Baroness Theresa May of Maidenhead took the mission to the very top. In meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the General Assembly Philemon Yang, she stressed the importance of bold, unified international action.

Her advocacy brought critical political weight to the report’s recommendations, signaling that modern slavery is not just a social issue—it is a global governance priority.

The Purpose of the Global Commission’s Report

At the core of the Commission’s report are strategic imperatives designed to drive systemic change. These include:

• Prevention: Tackling root causes and vulnerabilities that lead to exploitation
• Protection: Ensuring survivors receive the support, safety, and dignity they deserve
• Accountability: Creating mechanisms to hold perpetrators and complicit entities responsible

The report is more than policy—it’s a blueprint for transformation.

A Turning Point in the Global Fight Against Human Trafficking

Why does this moment matter? Because never before has there been such cohesion, commitment, and clarity across sectors and borders. As conflicts, climate change, and economic disparity fuel migration and displacement, the risk of exploitation rises. But with that, so does the opportunity for collective resistance.

The launch of the report isn’t the end—it’s the ignition point of a new global strategy.

From Words to Action: The Challenge Ahead

Ambitious reports are only as effective as their implementation. The Commission’s next challenge is to convert this momentum into concrete, measurable outcomes: policy shifts, resource mobilization, and empowered local action.

It is a time for governments to legislate, businesses to lead, and communities to advocate. The time for passive acknowledgment has passed—now is the moment for urgent and coordinated action.

“This moment at the United Nations was more than a convening—it was a charge. May we meet it with courage.”

Meeting the Moment with Courage

The UN launch of the Global Commission’s report was more than a symbolic convening. It was a global charge—a call to step into responsibility, to challenge systems of exploitation, and to commit to the freedom and dignity of all people.

Let us meet this charge with clarity. With courage. And with the collective power to create a future free from modern slavery.