An event dedicated to December 18 - International Migrants Day was held on the topic of “Migrants in Azerbaijan: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion”

With the joint organization of the State Migration Service and the Representation of the International Center Migration Policy Development in Azerbaijan an event dedicated to December 18 - International Migrants Day has been held on the topic of “Migrants in Azerbaijan: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion”

Executive staff and employees of the State Migration Service, high level representatives of international organizations, government institutions, civil society institutes operating in the migration field, private sector, diplomatic missions of foreign countries in our country, as well as migrants participated in the event.   

The event participants firstly got acquainted with an exhibition celebrating cultural diversity in our country and displaying cultural heritage, way of life and culinary examples of countries of origin, also with the photos taken by the participants of photography contest on "Migration in Azerbaijan through your lens" depicting individual and different points of view.

Opening the event with the introductory speech Chief of the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, II rank state migration service counselor Vusal Huseynov touched on the importance of the International Migrants Day, which is traditionally celebrated every year together with local and international partners in order to draw attention to various aspects of migration, which is one of the main global issues of our time. He stated that protection of rights of foreigners and stateless persons, migrant workers, as well as refugees, issues of involving them in the development process of society through integration is always in the focus of attention of Azerbaijani Government.

The Chief of the Service drew attention to the measures implemented by the State Migration Service in the direction of migration management, integration of migrants into society, protection of their welfare, rights and freedoms in our country, where representatives of different religions and nations live together in peace. He expressed confidence that the event will make an important contribution to the efficient integration of migrants into society by promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, increasing attention to the protection of their rights, as well as deepening cooperation with local and international organizations in the field of migration.

Speaking at the event Ms. Vladanka Andreyeva, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva, the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, Mr. Zoltan Szalai, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Union in Azerbaijan, Mr. Radim Jak, Head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region of the International Center for the Development of Migration Policy, Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev,  the Head of the Representation of the IOM in the Republic of Azerbaijan, informed about the positive attitude towards migrants in our country, the condition of ensuring their rights, joint projects aimed at increasing their contribution to the societies they live in, and expressed their satisfaction with effective and long-term beneficial cooperation relations in this direction. 

Then, a short film called "48: With endless love for Azerbaijan" was demonstrated, showing the life story of a migrant living in Azerbaijan for many years and his thoughts about our country.

Later, the winners of the photography contest "Migration in Azerbaijan through your lens" were awarded, which was held by the State Migration Service together with the Representation of the International Center for Migration Policy Development in Azerbaijan where the world-famous photographer Reza Deghati was also represented in the jury.

In the cultural part of the event, the performances of foreigners living in our country, who are inspired by the rich musical art of Azerbaijan, feeling its uniqueness and promoting it, were listened to.