Baku - In lieu of December 18 Migrants Day today IOM Azerbaijan celebrated International Migrants Day together with Government partners, UN agencies, Diplomatic Core, NGOs, and representatives of civil society and media.

The event was started with a video message addressed by Antonio Vitorino, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, on the occasion of International Migrants Day.

In the official opening session, the participants were welcomed by Mr Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of Mission for IOM Azerbaijan, Ms Vladanka Andreeva, Resident Coordinator, United Nations Azerbaijan, Mr Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service, and Ms Sabina Aliyeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of IOM Azerbaijan in his opening remark highlighted the importance of International Migrants Day which theme for 2021 is “Harnessing the potential of human mobility”, qoute “Today it is particularly important to celebrate International Migrants Day and recognize thousands of migrants living in fragile settings, on the move or temporarily stationed, that currently are facing even greater hardship with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and movement restrictions, but in the same time also to acknowledge their massive positive contributions within societies in countries of origin and destination,” said Mr Gjorgjiev.

Gjorgjiev congratulated the Azerbaijan government on the adoption of GCM Champion Countries Initiative launched under the auspices of the UN Network on Migration for the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). “We believe that Azerbaijan's role in "Champion countries" will create positive value and serve as an effective model of migration management for other countries in the region,” noted Mr Gjorgjiev.

Speaking at the event Ms Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator, said that joint efforts should be made to address the challenges and opportunities presented by human mobility and people on the move. “Migration is complex and have different dynamic around the globe. Human diversity is an asset, not a threat. We must appreciate the richness of our differences while never losing sight of our common humanity and dignity,” said Ms Andreeva.

Mr Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service in his speech said that Azerbaijan has been a strong supporter of the GCM since its inception and will also step up efforts to ensure its effective implementation in the future. “I call on all partners to strengthen joint cooperation to ensure the legal, safe movement of people in accordance with international law,” said Mr Huseynov.

After the speeches, presentations were made on the themes of “GCM Championship Initiatives”, an updated migration profile of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2013-2020 (including 10 months from 2021), and the Regional Training Center for Migration.

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