Azerbaijan becomes member of UNHCR Executive Committee

Azerbaijan has become a member of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive Committee as a result of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voting.

High Commissioner Antonio Guterres has sent a congratulatory letter to the Azerbaijani government expressing his satisfaction with the relevant success. The UNHCR official hailed Azerbaijan`s interest and commitment towards search of ways for the custody of the refugees and to address their plight, the admission to its territory of refugees and asylum seekers in accordance with the obligations of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the partner of which the country is since 1993, and the Protocol of 1967 as well. The High Commissioner also underlined that he will welcome Azerbaijan as a new member at the next meeting of the Standing Committee, which will be held on June 26-28, and at the plenary meeting of the Executive Committee on October 1-5.

UNHCR representative in Azerbaijan Dag Sigurdson also congratulated the Azerbaijani government in connection with such a significant event. He described the relevant success as an indicator of high appreciation of the Azerbaijani government`s efforts towards solution of refugees`s problems. The letter stresses that Azerbaijan`s membership will create an opportunity for the country to be more active participant of decision-making process related with the resolution of refugees` and IDPs` problems in the world.

The UNHCR representative in Azerbaijan offered technical and advisory support to the Azerbaijani government in connection with the preparation of and participation in the annual meetings of the Standing and Executive Committees.


/AzerTAc/