More than 85,000 Azerbaijanis have returned to the Garabagh and East Zangazur regions, where they are currently living, working, and rebuilding their lives. The process of ensuring housing rights and the rapid reconstruction of these territories continues as a top priority for the government of Azerbaijan.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, made these remarks during a panel discussion titled "Housing in Global Hub Coalitions." He emphasized that Azerbaijan is fully prepared to share its unique experience in post-conflict restoration and reconstruction, as well as the challenges it has faced, with the international community. Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan remains open to learning from the best practices of other nations while offering its own strategic insights.
"At a time when new wars and conflicts are erupting in various parts of the world, including our region, and cities and human settlements are being destroyed before our eyes, Azerbaijan is ready to both learn and share its realities and experience in such catastrophic conditions for humanity," the Presidential Assistant stated. He further underlined that Azerbaijan's successful track record makes it one of the most suitable venues to host the World Urban Forum.
The restoration of the liberated territories is part of Azerbaijan's "Great Return" program, a large-scale state initiative aimed at the sustainable resettlement of internally displaced persons. This process involves the implementation of "smart city" and "smart village" concepts, focusing on green energy and modern infrastructure. Since the liberation of its lands, Azerbaijan has invested billions of dollars in demining operations and the complete rebuilding of urban centers like Shusha, Aghdam, and Fuzuli, which were left in ruins during the decades of occupation.
