On May 9, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva met with residents who have relocated to the Shukurbayli village of the Jabrayil district.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state delivered a speech at the meeting, congratulating the residents on their return to their ancestral lands. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Shukurbayli has been completely rebuilt from the ground up, as the village was entirely destroyed by Armenia during the period of occupation. The President noted that the village now features modern infrastructure, including a school, a music school, two kindergartens, a medical center, and high-standard residential housing.
During his address, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the economic potential of the region, specifically mentioning the "Araz Valley" Industrial Zone in Jabrayil, which spans 200 hectares and already hosts 20 residents. He also discussed the Zangezur corridor, noting that the new four-lane road passing through the area is built to the highest international standards. Furthermore, the President detailed renewable energy projects, stating that solar power plants with a total capacity of 340 megawatts are being constructed in Jabrayil, contributing to a regional potential of nearly 700 megawatts when combined with hydropower from Lachin and Kalbajar.
This relocation is part of the "Great Return" program, a strategic state initiative aimed at restoring the liberated territories and ensuring the sustainable settlement of former internally displaced persons (IDPs). Since the liberation of Garabagh and East Zangezur in 2020, Azerbaijan has invested billions of dollars into the "smart village" and "smart city" concepts, prioritizing modern technology, green energy, and agricultural revival to reintegrate these regions into the national economy.
