Vatican diplomat calls on companies, investors to combat slavery, human trafficking

September 16, 2026

A Vatican diplomat called on companies and investors to combat slavery and human trafficking.

“New forms of slavery are fueled by economic chains and digital infrastructures,” warned Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, during a UN Human Rights Council meeting with Katarina Schwarz, the UN’s special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons.

Archbishop Balestrero added:

Supply chains, therefore, must be more transparent to prevent hidden exploitation. Companies and investors must adopt clear criteria for ethical verification, placing worker protection, combating forced labour and assessing social impact of business models as their top priorities.

Digital platforms must cooperate with authorities and civil society to prevent communication, payment and profiling tools from being used to recruit and control victims. When these efforts converge, the digital environment can be transformed into a space of protection, prevention and human dignity.

 

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Further information:

• Statement of H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero (Permanent Mission of the Holy See in Geneva, 9/11/26)