No:003/24, Press release on the meeting of Minister Jeyhun Bayramov with the Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia of UNICEF, Special Coordinator for Refugee and Migrant Issues in Europe, Regina De Dominicis
11 January 2024 20:20
On 11 January 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with the Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Special Coordinator for Refugee and Migrant Issues in Europe, Regina De Dominicis.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on issues on the existing cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and UNICEF and prospects for future cooperation, as well as on the current regional situation.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that since the first days of the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence, Azerbaijan has closely cooperated with various specialized agencies of the United Nations, including UNICEF, and that successful programs and projects have been implemented jointly with relevant state institutions, particularly in the field of creating better education and healthcare opportunities for children who became refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of Armenia’s occupation of our territories.
The other side was provided with detailed information on the large-scale restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the current post-conflict period aimed at ensuring the dignified return of our citizens to their homes, as well as on the fight against the mine threat.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, particularly referring to awareness-raising activities carried out within the framework of cooperation with UNICEF in the field of combating the mine threat, emphasized the importance of drawing the attention of the international community to this threat.
Regina De Dominicis noted that UNICEF is interested in continuing the existing successful cooperation experience with Azerbaijan, and that various joint initiatives in the field of children’s rights could be implemented, particularly within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), to be hosted by Azerbaijan this year, and the World Urban Forum to be held in 2026.
It was emphasized that the restoration and construction activities carried out by Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period aimed at the return of internally displaced persons to their homes are commendable, and that UNICEF is ready to support the process in this direction.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, for his part, informed the other side about the initial plans within the preparation process for COP29.
During the meeting, other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.
