The International Organization for
Migration (IOM) and the Ricky Martin Foundation (RMF) have signed a
global cooperation agreement aimed at raising awareness of and
combating the sexual exploitation and trafficking of
children.

The global agreement will allow IOM and RMF to
put in place joint projects to combat human trafficking all over
the world, with special emphasis on children and minors.

IOM Deputy Director General, Ndioro Ndiaye and
RMF President, Angel Saltos, signed the agreement with Ricky Martin
as witness a few hours prior to a concert in Madrid during his
European tour.

Praising the work of Ricky Martin and his
Foundation, Ndiaye said: "We are proud to have Ricky Martin join
IOM's decade-long fight to combat human trafficking. His voice will
reach millions of young people around the world, and this is one of
the best ways to alert potential victims of this hineous
crime."

IOM is currently implementing more than 150
counter-trafficking projects around the globe that include
awareness raising, the provision of medical, psychosocial, return
and reintegration support to the victims, as well as training for
law enforcement, NGO staff and other service providers.

“IOM counter trafficking programmes will
undoubtedly be strengthened with this new IOM/RMF partnership in
social responsibility toward this most vulnerable
population,” Ndiaye added.

"We are committed to ending child
exploitation. Unfortunately, more than half of trafficking victims
worldwide are children, forced into pornography, prostitution and
labour servitude, among other forms of exploitation. Signing this
agreement with IOM strengthens our mission. We are certain that
this alliance we will create a global call to action," said Ricky
Martin.

As an advocate of children’s rights, the
international musician also thanked IOM for its commitment to
explore possibilities to carry out a counter trafficking training
seminar for law enforcement agencies and NGO staff in his
birthplace Puerto Rico.

The global agreement signed in Madrid this
week builds on the work that IOM and RMF are carrying out in
Colombia. The social impact of the ongoing counter trafficking
information campaign "Don't Let Anyone Shatter Your Dreams"
launched in March with a series of Public Service Announcements
featuring Ricky Martin, has been outstanding. IOM and RMF have seen
telephone calls to hotline numbers increase by 500 per cent in the
past three months.

Since 2004 when the RMF launched “People
for Children”, its flagship project to combat child
trafficking, it has become a respected and influential voice in the
global community denouncing the fact that some 1.2 million children
fall victims to this crime each year.

Contact information:

International Organization for Migration

Niurka Piñeiro, Regional Coordinator for Media and External
Relations (Americas)

Tel: +1.202.862.1826 Ext. 225

E-mail: "mailto:npineiro@iom.int" target="" title=
"">npineiro@iom.int

Website: "http://www.iom.int/">www.iom.int

Ricky Martin Foundation

Bibiana Ferraiuoli, Programme & Communications Manager

E-mail: "mailto:bibiana@rm-foundation.org" target="" title=
"">bibiana@rm-foundation.org

Website: "http://www.rickymartinfoundation.org/" target="_blank" title=
"">www.rickymartinfoundation.org

The Ricky Martin Foundation
advocates for the well being of children around the globe in
critical areas such as social justice, education and health.

IOM is committed to the
principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and
society.