ASIA'S CHILD LABOUR

Of the 40 million victims of modern slavery worldwide, almost two-thirds -25 million people- are exploited in Asia and the Pacific-

Making the region host to the largest number of victims of modern slavery today.

Further breakdown of the modern slavery figure reveal that the region accounts for 71 percent of all victims of forced sexual exploitation, 68 percent of those subjected to state-imposed forced labour and-

64 percent of those in forced labour exploitation.

And although the share of the persons living in extreme poverty in Asia and the Pacific has been cut by about 70 percent over the past 10 years, 62 million children still must work so they and their families can survive.

Fighting those unacceptable forms of work is part of the  2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by world leaders in 2015.

An agenda whereby all countries committed to achieve 17 interrelated goals and 169 associated targets to guide global development, which are collectively known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Target  8.7 calls for  ''immediate and effective to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour''.

This news and publishing continues two parts. The last part to be published later.

With many thanks to Tomoko Nishimoto, assistant director general of the International Labour Organization [ILO] and the regional director in Asia and the Pacific, ILO.