Azerbaijan, ICMP discuss expanding cooperation on missing persons identification

A meeting between Azerbaijan's health authorities and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) focused on expanding cooperation in forensic medicine, DNA analysis and the identification of missing persons, the Health Ministry said on Monday (June 29).

According to the ministry, Health Minister Teymur Musayev met an ICMP delegation led by Director-General Kathryne Bomberger during her visit to Azerbaijan.

The sides discussed prospects for closer cooperation in the healthcare sector, particularly in forensic medical expertise, DNA analysis, strengthening laboratory capacity, specialist training and the exchange of knowledge.

The ministry said both sides stressed the humanitarian importance of locating missing persons, identifying human remains and applying modern scientific methods to the process.

They also noted that studying international best practices and introducing innovative approaches could improve the effectiveness of these efforts.

Musayev said relevant state institutions were working in close coordination on search operations in the territories regained by Azerbaijan and on the identification of recovered human remains.

He said cooperation with the ICMP had made an important contribution to those efforts.

Bomberger praised Azerbaijan's efforts to determine the fate of missing persons and said the ICMP was ready to continue providing technical and expert support to the country in the future, according to the ministry.

The meeting also included discussions on other issues of mutual interest and prospects for further cooperation, the ministry said.