Baku - The first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) is taking place from 17-20 May at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. UN Member States and Observers, UN system representatives, as well as stakeholder groups are attending the first International Migration Review Forum where progress made under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) will be assessed.

Chaired by the President of the General Assembly, the Forum is an opportunity for participants to highlight successes and challenges made in implementing the GCM at the local, national, regional and global levels, since its adoption almost four years ago. A delegation from Azerbaijan led by Mr. Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan with other attendees will be committing to further concrete actions to better protect and support the more than 281 million migrants in the world through policy and practice change.

The Forum consists of four interactive multi-stakeholder round tables, a policy dialogue, and a plenary. Round table four which is co-chaired by Mr. Vusal Huseynov, head of Azerbaijan delegation focuses on progress made in the implementation of objectives 1 (Data), 3 (Information Provision), 7 (Reduce Vulnerabilities), 17 (Eliminate Discrimination), and 23 (International Cooperation) of the GCM.

The discussions are interactive, evidence-based, and action-oriented with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. Participants are encouraged to commit pledges towards the implementation of the Compact.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan is the first country in the SEEECA region to take part in the Champion Country Initiative, launched under the auspices of the UN Network on Migration. Azerbaijan has long been involved in complex human mobility at the interregional level and is making efforts to introduce positive practices to support regular migration. The country has been a strong supporter of the GCM since its inception and also step-up efforts to ensure its effective implementation in the future.

Azerbaijan is among the first countries in the region to establish a UN Network on Migration at national level and has contributed with a comprehensive report for the voluntary review of the GCM. Recently, with support of IOM Azerbaijan the State Migration Service initiated the establishment of the Regional Training Centre on Migration which aims to enhance capacities in migration management not only in Azerbaijan, but also other countries in the region. Moreover, the draft Migration Strategy of Azerbaijan, which includes integration activities through respecting multicultural values and diversity of migrants, will also contribute to the effective implementation of GCM in the country.

Considering the active engagement and efforts of the country in migration management at both national and regional levels, Azerbaijan has been elected as a member of the Steering Group of the Global Forum on Migration and Development.