December 18 is International Migrants Day, a day to acknowledge migrants as a important part of our societies and reiterate the need to respect their rights and dignity

As an UN Migration Agencies, IOM acts jointly with its partners in the international and local community to: assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development through migration; and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of IOM Mission to Azerbaijan in his speech on International Migrants Day says that marking this day in 2020 when we have limited human mobility, intensive quarantine measures and health insecurity; partnership and solidarity in this global pandemic crisis is more relevant than ever.

"Today it is particularly important to celebrate International Migrants Day and recognize thousands of migrants living in fragile settings that currently are facing even greater hardship with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in the same time also to acknowledge their massive positive contributions within societies in countries of origin and destination. We need to work collectively to meet immediate and long-term needs caused by the pandemic and support vulnerable migrants and their families.”