18.11.2022

A series of meetings were conducted in the United States under the framework of the project "Counter-Trafficking in Persons Activity," implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Azerbaijan and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The visit, which took place from November 5 to 11, included Vladimir Georgiev, Head of the IOM Office in Azerbaijan, and Anar Iskanderov, the project coordinator. Representatives from the State Migration Service, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, and various non-governmental organizations also participated. Additionally, Samir Garayev, Head of the Division of the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Elshad Mammadli, Chief Operations Commissioner for Special Important Cases, were in attendance.

During the visit, the delegation visited the IOM office in Washington, where they learned about the US federal system and the activities of the IOM Washington office.

The delegation also held meetings with representatives of the State Department who prepare reports on Azerbaijan's efforts in combating human trafficking, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the United States, and the Committee on Refugees and Immigrants, Human Trafficking Services. Additional meetings were held with officials from the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labour, the Dallas State Police Department, the Dallas Department of Justice, and the Polaris and Mosaic NGOs.

The visit aimed not only to study the US experience in combating human trafficking but also to share information on Azerbaijan's efforts and achievements in this field. The US representatives showed great interest in Azerbaijan's experiences. During each meeting, the Azerbaijani delegation presented a map of Azerbaijan and souvenirs featuring the kharibulbul flower. They highlighted that Azerbaijani territories had been occupied by the Armenian army for nearly 30 years and were used for drug and human trafficking, but this occupation ended in 2020 following the 44-day war.

The meetings were conducted in a cordial and professional atmosphere.