Baku - On 16 December 2022, IOM Azerbaijan together with Government partners, UN agencies, Diplomatic Core, NGO, and civil society celebrated International Migrants Day in Baku.

In the opening speech Mr Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of Mission for IOM Azerbaijan noted that IOM is well positioned to be an honest partner with contributions to Azerbaijan's development and to build capacity for the governance of migration within the local context that are linked with all regional and international frameworks for cooperation. “To demonstrate its commitments to the global migration management frameworks, the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Government of Azerbaijan under the leadership of the State Migration Service - one of the key partner to IOM in the field of migration, has invested core resources in key areas, such as policy capacity, data, and research, knowledge management, staff development, training, and communications to respond effectively to the migration phenomenon,” said Gjorgjiev.

He went on to add that the IOM will continue to foster effective collaboration in support of the government’s initiatives, efforts, and implementation of the GCM and SDG 2030 within the newly developed Strategy of the IOM Mission in Azerbaijan which strategic priorities are Resilience, Mobility, Governance.

“This Strategy is a key tool in clearly articulating trends and challenges and how IOM will work with governments, migrant communities, and our main partners to achieve a positive impact over the course of the next four years. The Strategy affirms IOM’s mandate and core priorities as laid out in its, Strategic Vision and related governance documents as well as the priorities defined in the UNSDCF 2021-2025 for Azerbaijan” said Gjorgjiev. (Read the Strategy HERE)

Ms Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator, noted that International Migrants’ Day is an opportunity to reflect on the role of migrants in our societies, their positive contributions, and the challenges they face in achieving their full potential – over 280 million people have left their countries in the universal pursuit for dignity, freedom, and a better life. To support the implementation, monitoring, and review of the Global Compact on Migration and to ensure effective, timely, and coordinated support to Azerbaijan, we have established the UN Migration Network, and the UN Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 for Azerbaijan includes all migration aspects.

In his speech, Mr Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service, expressed confidence that the event will make an important contribution to the effective integration of migrants into society by promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, increasing attention to the protection of migrants’ rights, as well as deepening cooperation with local and international organizations in the field of migration.

After the speeches, a short film "48: Azerbaijan with Endless Love" was shown, which tells the life story of a migrant who has lived in here for many years, and he gave his positive thoughts about Azerbaijan society.

Then the winners of the photo contest "Migration in Azerbaijan through your lens" were awarded.

In the end, performances by migrants currently living in the country were listened to, who were inspired by the rich musical art of Azerbaijan.