Representatives of Geeks Without Frontiers were in the audience and approached IRC after the presentation because, together with NGOs and the private sector, their organization has been involved in work relating to Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) and prevention of Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thailand. IRC expressed interest in exploring whether their digital-ID capabilities could be extended to address CTIP requirements in Thailand and, perhaps, elsewhere in the region. 

​

Each participant shared their perspectives regarding the latest trends relating to CTIP and IUU fishing in Asia. Their insights suggested that there appears to be an opportunity to leverage gains made by current CTIP and IUU fishing initiatives with a combined effort to scale such localized successes as part of a comprehensive solution throughout Southeast Asia or, perhaps Asia. If implemented, the regional CTIP-IUU solution could also serve as a template for other regions throughout the world (e.g. Africa, South & Central America, etc.).

​

In this regard, some of the thoughts shared by the meeting participants included the following:

• CTIP and IUU continue to be a major priority in Asia and in other regions of the world.
• Important successes have been achieved in addressing CTIP and IUU in Asia.
• Such gains have often been realized through projects that were targeted to address either CTIP or IUU.
• These advances have often been targeted to address CTIP or IUU, one nation at a time.
• There is an opportunity to build upon previous project successes through a coordinated effort to design and implement a regional initiative that would holistically address both CTIP and IUU fishing.
• A comprehensive initiative would integrate systems, services and strategies that have been proven to be successful through previous programs.
• A regional initiative would enable greater scale, which would strengthen sustainability whilst addressing cross-border dynamics.

​