IOM Azerbaijan continues to support the voluntary return and reintegration of Azerbaijani nationals through its globally recognized Voluntary Return Assistance and Reintegration (AVRR) programme.

During January-October 2024, IOM Azerbaijan facilitated reintegration of 295 individuals returning from various European countries and supported them in establishing small businesses, and addressing temporary housing, education or medical needs. Since 2018, IOM has facilitated the safe and dignified return of over 5,400 individuals to Azerbaijan and provided reintegration support to more than 3,400 returnees, mainly from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Switzerland through AVRR.

These initiatives align with IOM’s global efforts to promote safe, orderly, and dignified migration while ensuring the human rights of migrants are upheld. Since 1979, IOM has supported the return and reintegration of over 1.6 million people worldwide in collaboration with governments, international organizations, and non-governmental stakeholders.

IOM’s reintegration assistance directly contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly target 10.7, which focuses on facilitating safe and responsible migration. It also supports other related targets, including 10.2, 17.9, and 17.17.

The AVRR programme also align with the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, particularly Objective 21, which emphasizes cooperation in facilitating safe and dignified return and sustainable reintegration. Other objectives, including 1 (data collection), 3 (provision of information), 4 (legal pathways), 7 (reducing vulnerabilities), 12 (screening and referral), and 13 (migration in disaster contexts), are also supported through IOM’s broader commitment to enhancing migration governance.

IOM remains a committed partner to the government of Azerbaijan in achieving these goals.