The first Great Return program will be completed by the end of this year.

Axar.az reports, Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, made the remarks during a panel session on urbicide and its consequences organized by the AIR Center within the framework of WUF13.

He stated that one of the main works carried out after 2020 was the preparation of the Great Return program covering 2022–2026 by the order of President Ilham Aliyev: “Thus, by the end of this year, the first program is already being completed, and it is planned for more than 80,000 people to live in these territories. In the construction process, we are guided by the Sustainable Development Goals, one of the main directions of the United Nations. The concept of comfortable living, green, clean, and modern innovations forms the basis of the master plan. The ‘smart city’ and ‘smart village’ concepts have become one of the main pillars of this transformation. New settlements are being designed to ensure efficient use of resources, energy efficiency, advanced services, and a higher quality of life for returning residents. These efforts are aimed not only at restoring what was lost but also at building better, inclusive, and sustainable communities for future generations.

In these villages, modern urban planning is designed to meet the daily needs of residents in a practical, safe, and efficient manner. Access to schools, healthcare services, clean water, public services, renewable energy sources, and employment opportunities has been fully integrated into the planning process.”

Vahid Hajiyev noted that the goal is not only to provide housing, but also to create safe and functional communities where people can live, work, and build their future: “At the same time, one of our main goals is sustainable development, and economic development is impossible without it. The economic potential of Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan is quite large and has broad opportunities. Among the directions that will mainly determine the economic development of these districts are agriculture, mining industry, transport, logistics, tourism, and alternative energy sectors. Azerbaijan’s experience shows that when the post-conflict reconstruction process is carried out with long-term planning, strong political will, and sustainable development principles, post-conflict regions can turn into driving forces of development, connectivity, and peace."