Baku - On the initiative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a bilateral meeting was held at the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss prospects for further cooperation between IOM Azerbaijan and the Main CT Department of MIA, and to introduce Ms. Ersilia Apreda, IOM new Coordinator of the project “Counter-Trafficking in Persons Activity (C-TIP)” funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the meeting, the Head of the Main CT Department of MIA, Mr. Hazi Aslanov provided information on efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan (GoAz) in terms of persecuting traffickers, preventive measures and establishment of services to ensure the rehabilitation and assistance of victims of trafficking. Mr. Aslanov also noted the adoption of the 4th National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), a new and more comprehensive plan covering the period 2020-2024 that also reflects the intention of prioritizing CT efforts of the GoAz. Mr. Aslanov concluded thanking IOM for its active role in the fight against TIP in Azerbaijan and the role of the Organization including the support offered to women affected from the 44-days of National War in the framework of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

IOM Chief of the Mission, Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev, expressed deep gratitude for the information provided and renewed the commitment of IOM to support the GoAz in all aspect of counter-trafficking response – Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership. IOM Project Coordinator, Ms. Ersilia Apreda presented the new activities planned in the C-TIP Project (2015-2020) following the signature of the new amendment of June 2020. The action will reach the expected results through enhanced partnership and coordination across Government and non-government agencies and the private sector, while also providing financial support to civil society organizations (CSOs) for improved service provision to potential, presumed, and confirmed victims of TIP, forced labour and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

In general, the meeting was held in a warm and businesslike atmosphere, and both sides expressed their deep gratitude for the effective exchange of information.