A/RES/55/67 Welcoming also the efforts of Governments and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations participating in the meeting of the Asian Regional Initiative against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, held in Manila from 29 to 31 March 2000, to develop a regional action plan against trafficking in persons, especially women and children, 22 Welcoming further the efforts of the European Union to develop a comprehensive European policy and programmes on trafficking in human beings, as expressed in the conclusions of the European Council at its meeting held in Tampere, Finland, on 15 and 16 October 1999, 23 and the activities of the Council of Europe and of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in this field, Acknowledging the work being done by intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations in compiling information on the scale and complexity of the problem of trafficking, in providing shelter for trafficked women and children and in effecting their voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin, Recognizing that global efforts, including international cooperation and technical assistance programmes, to eradicate trafficking in persons, in particular women and children, demand strong political commitment by and the active cooperation of all Governments of countries of origin, transit and destination, Deeply concerned about the unabated use of new information technologies, including the Internet, for purposes of prostitution, child pornography, paedophilia and any other forms of sexual exploitation of children, trafficking in women as brides and sex tourism, Gravely concerned at the increasing activities of transnational criminal organizations and others that profit from international trafficking in women and children without regard to dangerous and inhumane conditions and in flagrant violation of domestic laws and international standards, Stressing once again the need for Governments to provide standard humanitarian treatment to trafficked persons consistent with human rights standards, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on activities of United Nations bodies and other international organizations pertaining to the problem of trafficking in women and girls; 24 2. Welcomes the steps taken by human rights treaty bodies, the special rapporteurs and subsidiary bodies of the Commission on Human Rights, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, other United Nations bodies, and international, intergovernmental and governmental organizations, within their mandates, as well as non-governmental organizations, to address the problem of trafficking in women and girls, and encourages them to continue doing so and to share their knowledge and best practices as widely as possible; 3. Urges Governments to take appropriate measures to address the root factors, including external factors, that encourage trafficking in women and girls for prostitution and other forms of commercialized sex, forced marriages and forced labour, in order to eliminate trafficking in women, including by strengthening 22 See A/C.3/55/3, annex. See Tampere European Council, Presidency Conclusions (SN 200/99). 24 A/55/322. 23 3