Establishment of Integrated Border Management Model at the Southern Borders of Azerbaijan

The aim of this two year project is to establish a replicable Integrated Border Management (IBM) system at the southern border of Azerbaijan with Iran. The project is implemented by IOM with the financial support received from the European Union. The implementation of the project has been launched in June 2006 and incorporates relevant approaches from the EU experience, through cooperation among, and capacity building of border, customs and other authorities involved in border management so as to enhance intra-service and interagency cooperation in Azerbaijan to pilot a methodology for IBM. 

The IBM entails coordination and cooperation of all relevant services and agencies involved in border control and procedures in order to build a functional, effective and integrated system of border management with a common goal of creating open, but controlled and safe borders. This will be complemented by institutionalizing cooperative data collection, sharing and analysis for risk management, as well as enabling the appropriation of new IBM concepts by Government of Azerbaijan in support of their subsequent replication nationally. 

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, a Border Guards Training School (BGTS) has been established and provided with all necessary facilities at State Border Service (SBS). At present, BGTS is fully operational for delivering training activities, as well as organizing other international events undertaken by the Service. 
A Project Advisory Committee (PAC), comprising representatives from relevant state institutions and international organization has been established. The PAC is a consultative body and delivers recommendations where appropriate to enhance successful implementation of the project approach. 

Additionally, within the provision of technical assistance component of the IBM Project, IT equipments such as computers and educational materials have been donated by IOM to the BGTS. 

A set of trainings for the newly recruited staff of the SBS on IBM concept and practices is being conducted by an international expert, who possesses an extensive experience on the topic. 

Trainings on IBM are also planned to be delivered to the border guards of SBS Nakhchivan department. 

The Project also envisages carrying out of several exposure visits at national and international level for the representatives of relevant state agencies. The study visits will offer further opportunities for officials to be acquainted with best practices that would enable direct learning, thus fostering understanding of the IBM concept and practices.