112th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council continues

At the session the Republic of Azerbaijan is represented by a delegation led by Chief of the State Migration Service, II rank state migration service counselor Mr. Vusal Huseynov.

Speaking in a video format the high-level segment in the framework of the Session on "The impact of COVID-19 on borders, migration and mobility: learning lessons and preparing for the future", Vusal Huseynov expressed the importance of the event to discuss possible steps in the field of migration in the post-pandemic period.

Later, talking about the steps taken in the field of migration in the world and in Azerbaijan during the pandemic, Chief of the Service said that the country's migration policy during the pandemic was based on maximum comfort of migrants, minimizing administrative procedures, as well as promoting digitalization.

Emphasizing the cooperation of the Government of Azerbaijan with the Representation of the International Organization for Migration in the Republic of Azerbaijan on the steps to be taken for migrants living in the country during this period, Chief of the Service stressed that this cooperation is carried out via numerous targeted activities such as the projects aimed at providing immediate COVID-19 response by assisting migrants in a difficult economic situation, as well as voluntary return.

Speaking about the country's migration experience, Chief of the Service noted about the liberation of our territories from occupation last year which will pave the way for intensified human mobility, as well as boost economic development in Azerbaijan and in the whole region. V.Huseynov said that post-COVID-19 measures in the Republic of Azerbaijan, along with eliminating negative consequences of the pandemic, will also mainly focus on restoration of major infrastructure, transportation and communication networks and ensuring rights of refugees and IDPs to return their homelands.  

At the meeting where IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made opening speeches. The Republics of Colombia and the Philippines were represented at the presidential level, while other countries were represented at the level of Ministers responsible for foreign affairs and migration. The presentation of the World Migration Report 2022, which is published every two years and is considered as a major research document in the field of migration, also took place during the session.