Regional Director for the IOM Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia in Vienna, Manfred Profazi visited Azerbaijan on 9-10 October 2023.

During his visit, Mr Profazi had meetings with various high-ranking officials, including the Head of Department of the Presidential Administration, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Chief of State Migration Service, the Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, the Deputy Chief of State Border Services, and the Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Agency of Water Reserves. The discussions focused on bilateral cooperation between IOM and Azerbaijan, particularly in the areas of migration management, anti-trafficking activities, support for vulnerable groups, kahriz rehabilitation, the regional training center for migration, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and assisted voluntary returns. 

In these meetings, Mr Profazi expressed the willingness of IOM to deepen its cooperation with the government of Azerbaijan in areas of mutual interest. This includes supporting post-conflict recovery needs assessment in conflict-affected territories, providing technical support for effective labour migration flow and border management, supporting anti-trafficking activities, contributing to climate change adaptation efforts, and improving water governance and water-saving practices.

On October 9, 2023, IOM Azerbaijan hosted a reception in Baku to celebrate the visit of the Regional Director. The event was attended by representatives from the embassies of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region, government officials, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. During the reception, the Migration Profile for Azerbaijan was presented.

In addition to the meetings with high-level officials, Mr Profazi also met with the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the UN Resident Coordinator, the USAID Mission Director, and the Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency. They discussed local and regional migration trends, available socio-economic opportunities, and prospects for future cooperation.

The main purpose of Mr Profazi's visit to Azerbaijan was to enhance the positive perception of IOM as a flexible and responsive partner in both development and humanitarian endeavors.