New York:Azerbaijan emphasized the crucial need for international cooperation to protect the rights of migrant children and maintain family unity during a statement at the United Nations General Assembly. Shahriyar Hajiyev, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, delivered this message on behalf of the GCM Champion Countries initiative during an Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Hajiyev stressed that no single state can address migration issues alone and highlighted the significance of collaborative efforts. The statement was delivered on behalf of 45 Champion Countries of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and welcomed the Special Rapporteur’s focus on children’s right to family life in migration contexts.
Hajiyev outlined the commitments of the GCM Champion Countries towards migrant children, particularly those unaccompanied or separated from their families. He referenced the 2026 IMRF Progress Declaration as a framework to advance these commitments, emphasizing the need for safe migration pathways, family reunification, and the prioritization of non-custodial alternatives to detention.
The statement also addressed the importance of conducting return and readmission processes with respect for human rights and the best interests of children. Hajiyev reiterated the commitment of the GCM Champion Countries to collaborate with Member States and other stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of commitments to improve the lives of migrants and their families.