Operations will be suspended over a transitional period.
UNICEF’s office in Azerbaijan is set to cease operations.
The news was verified by Iryna Mazur, Regional Communications Director for UNICEF in Europe and Central Asia, as reported by “Report.az” She explained that UNICEF will discontinue its work in Azerbaijan through a phased approach in the coming months:
“UNICEF will continue to cooperate with partners in Azerbaijan through its regional office and headquarters.”
“Over the past 30 years, our cooperation has contributed to reducing child mortality, increasing access to quality education, and strengthening child protection systems”, she added.
UNICEF, an organization that supports and protects children’s rights in 190 countries, has been operating in Azerbaijan since 1993.
This move is seen as politically driven, particularly given the recent limitations imposed on various international organizations operating in Azerbaijan.
In March of this year, Caliber.az reported that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and UNICEF had all been warned that their modes of cooperation in Baku were under review.
These groups were allegedly advised to cease their presence in Azerbaijan, with the decision passed on through authorities.
In a statement released on March 3, 2025, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, during a meeting with the UN Development Coordination Office’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Gwi-Yeop Son, emphasized that Baku is reassessing its cooperation with the UN in light of the new realities of the current era.
“In this regard, it was conveyed to the other party that future cooperation with some UN agencies would continue through project-based mechanisms aligned with national priorities. Azerbaijan has transformed from a recipient of aid into a country contributing to the global agenda,” the statement from the Ministry said.
In March 2025, the ICRC’s office in Azerbaijan was closed.
Just a few days ago, on May 2, it was reported that the UNDP office in Azerbaijan had ended its operations.
On May 5, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) also ceased its activities in Azerbaijan.
The UNHCR stopped its operations in the country as of May 6.
The post UNICEF to cease operations in Azerbaijan appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
