"The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is scheduled to be conducted from June through August 2023 in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to obtain internationally comparable statistical data for assessing the social welfare of mothers and children, human development, and measuring the progress in achieving targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals.

"In preparation for this survey, a series of training sessions for the MICS fieldwork team commenced on May 18.

"Before the training, Mr. Tahir Budagov, Chairman of the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mr. Alex Heikens, the Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the Republic of Azerbaijan, paid their respects by laying flowers at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan city. They subsequently met with the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Fuad Najafli, in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

"At the opening ceremony of the training, Tahir Budagov and Alex Heikens informed the attendees about the purpose and significance of conducting MICS in Azerbaijan, and the work done within the framework of MICS.