An event dedicated to December 18, International Migrants Day, on the topic of “Migrants in Azerbaijan: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion was jointly organised by ICMPD Azerbaijan and the State Migration Service in Azerbaijan. The event brought together up to 200 employees of the State Migration Service, ICMPD Head of Region EECA and ICMPD Azerbaijan representatives, high-level representatives of international organizations, government institutions, civil society institutes operating in the migration field, the private sector, diplomatic corps members, as well as migrants.
The event participants first got acquainted with an exhibition celebrating cultural diversity in Azerbaijan and displaying cultural heritage, way of life and culinary examples of countries of origin, also with the photos taken by the participants of the photography contest on "Migration in Azerbaijan through your lens" depicting individual and different points of view.
The opening speeches were introduced by Mr Vusal Huseynov, the Chief of the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan, 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 Zak, Head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region of ICMPD and Mr Vladimir Gjorgjiev, the Head of the Representation of the IOM in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
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 the 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 ICMPD Representation 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 Azerbaijan, who are inspired by the rich musical art of Azerbaijan, feeling its uniqueness and promoting it, were listened to.
The joint activity was organised by the ICMPD Azerbaijan in the framework of the EU-funded “Support to the Implementation of the Mobility Partnership with Azerbaijan (MOBILAZE 2)” project. The project is supporting relevant stakeholders in the Republic of Azerbaijan 1) to develop institutional capacities on migration policy development and implementation, 2) to institutionalise migration data collection, analysis and application, 3) enhance and standardise institutional procedures for capacity building on migration and border management and integration or refugees, 4) develop institutional and public awareness on migration policy agenda and irregular migration threats.