The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has officially suspended its operations in Azerbaijan, becoming the latest in a series of UN agencies to exit the country.
The decision was confirmed by UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh, following a formal notification from the Azerbaijani government.
Saltmarsh stated:
“The UN values its 33-year partnership with the Government and people of Azerbaijan. During this time, the UN has supported the advancement of key development priorities in the country. UNHCR is committed to ensuring that its work is carried out responsibly and in consultation with all partners and donors.”
While the reasons for the suspension were not publicly disclosed, the move is seen as part of a broader shift in Baku’s approach toward international organizations.
UNHCR’s departure follows a series of similar closures. On May 2, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ended its activities in Azerbaijan. Just days later, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) confirmed it had also shut down its operations, concluding three decades of work focused on improving maternal health and addressing gender-based violence. Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) closed its Azerbaijan office in March.
These exits align with reports from Caliber.az, a pro-government outlet, which claimed that several UN agencies—including UNDP, UNHCR, ICRC, and UNICEF—had been instructed to reassess their cooperation frameworks with Baku. These organizations were reportedly told to leave, although Azerbaijani authorities have not publicly commented on the matter.
In a March 3 statement, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed Gui-Yeop Son, Regional Director of the UN Development Coordination Office, that the country was revisiting its engagement with the UN to better align with “new realities” and national priorities. The government now seeks to focus on project-based cooperation, asserting that Azerbaijan has shifted from being an aid recipient to a contributor to the global agenda.
Azerbaijan has been a member of the United Nations since 1992.
