Baku - On 1 February 2002, the governments of Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, and Portugal, in their capacity as GCM Champion countries, organized a virtual event for the Member States of the UNECE, involving stakeholders in inclusive IMRF preparations. The meeting was intended to brief Government representatives, and in particular civil servants, advisors or technical experts, and other stakeholders who are engaged in supporting high-level member states and stakeholders’ participation in the IMRF.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief of the State Migration Service of the Azerbaijan Republic Vusal Huseynov stressed the importance of the event and said that the current meeting will make an important contribution to the exchange of views on the organization of the International Migration Review Forum to be held in New York in May.

Vusal Huseynov noted that during the pandemic, the Service's activities were carried out in accordance with the basic principles and objectives set out in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. He informed about the measures taken to reduce administrative procedures for the convenience of migrants and promote the digitalization of procedures.

He noted that the Regional Migration Training Center established in the Republic of Azerbaijan will play an important role in increasing knowledge and skills in the field of migration in the region, and expressed confidence that the Center will contribute to further expanding relations between the countries of the region.

The head of the service said that in order to more effectively implement the principles and goals of the GCM, the efforts of all stakeholders should be combined to make the initiatives on various aspects of migration a real success. At the end of his speech, Vusal Huseynov expressed hope that the measures to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration will continue to be successful.

Other speakers, Anne Godert, Coordinator for International Migration Issues at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Sónia Pereira, High Commissioner for Migration of Portugal, Renate Held, Regional Director for the IOM Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, as well as, representatives of IOM, UNHCR, and other influential organizations also highlighted the importance of these consultations.