From September 29, in Azerbaijan, with the cooperation of the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, the “Urban Planning Week 2023” is being held to discuss important processes of sustainable urbanization.

The week started with the opening ceremony of the National Urban Planning Forum (NUFA2) on “Sustainable cities as a driving force for economic development and fighting inequalities” organized in Zangilan, liberated from the 30-year occupation of Armenia.

The forum was attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. In his speech at the ceremony, the head of state drew attention to the restoration and reconstruction work carried out in our liberated territories and the importance of the event in this process. Stressing that the holding of the 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum is a positive step, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the 1st Forum was successfully organized in the city of Aghdam last year. Noting that a total of 400 participants attended this year's Forum in Zangilan, the head of state described it as a manifestation of friendship and joint interest in rebuilding the territories completely destroyed during the occupation.

The president of Azerbaijan noted that today, like all Karabakh, East Zangazur has been rebuilt. He stressed that with the return of the former IDPs, life returned to Agali “smart” village of Zangilan, where residents live in complete prosperity.

Speaking about the fact that Zangilan is an important transport hub, the head of state noted that the construction of Zangilan International Airport is an important factor in the development of this region. The President of the country assessed this region, which has a unique ecosystem with forests, rivers, lakes, as one of the most beautiful lands, one of the greatest assets of Azerbaijan.

Noting that 65 out of 67 mosques in the occupied lands were destroyed, and two are in a dilapidated state, the head of state regarded this as a manifestation of urbicide and culturecide against Azerbaijan, and drew attention to the fact that a large school has already been built in Zangilan, and the construction of a mosque is in its final stage.

Referring also to the Great Return Program in his speech, President Ilham Aliyev stressed that this program involves the restoration of all liberated territories. It was noted that at the moment the Master Plan of 8 cities and 92 villages has been approved and the foundation of 30 villages has been laid.

Recalling that very large-scale housing projects will be implemented in Shusha and other cities in the coming years, the head of state said that this is an integral part of our Program.

President Ilham Aliyev added that 2,300 former internally displaced persons have already returned to their homes, and by the end of the year their number will be increased to 5,500. He also added that: “... Today we are witnessing the flow of population from Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Mingachevir, from cities to villages. This, first of all, shows how devoted the Azerbaijani people are to their homeland. They want to live on the land of their ancestors.”

The President said that after the end of the Second Karabakh War, US$ 7 billion was spent from the Azerbaijani budget on reconstruction work. The minimum planned budget for next year will be $2.4 billion.

Noting that Azerbaijan carries out these works at its own expense, without receiving any financial assistance, the head of state recalled that Uzbekistan had built a secondary school and Kazakhstan had built a creative center in the liberated territories.

Then, chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev and Executive Director of the UN Settlement Program (UN-Habitat) Maimunah Mohd Sharif made a speech. The speeches emphasized that the 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum, held this year in Zangilan and Baku cities, is a successful platform for discussing urbanization processes in the world and in our country.

After the opening ceremony of the Forum, which brought together various stakeholders, experts, politicians and communities to discuss strategies for building sustainable cities that can develop economically in the face of various challenges and uncertainties, exchange ideas and collaborate, the event continued with sessions on various topics. First, a special session entitled “Joint reconstruction - cooperation opportunities for regional sustainability and consistent development” was organized. Then, the first session on “Sustainable and consistent development: strategies, directions for action and opportunities for international cooperation” discussed such issues as reconstruction - rehabilitation strategies of liberated territories, strengthening transport capacities for joint movement, coordination and regional economic development, building bridges for prosperity and peace, and the role of international cooperation in conflict resolution and urban development.

At the second session “From devastation to stability: the path to a brighter future”, issues of combating the hidden threat of mine pollution and its impact on sustainable development, the revival of regional centers, opportunities for cooperation in Karabakh were discussed, the participants got acquainted with the Master Plan of the city of Zangilan.

At the end, the Forum participants who visited the “smart” village of Agaly met with residents and took part in a tree planting campaign. They also got acquainted with the reconstruction projects that are being implemented at a rapid pace in Zangelan.Lorem ipsum

It should be noted that the next NUFA2 sessions will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and will end on October 1. And on October 2, our capital will host the World Habitat Day for the first time. On this day, reputable international experts and government officials will discuss the problems of promoting affordable and high-quality urban life for all, as well as the development of sustainable cities under the theme “Sustainable Urban Economy. Cities as a driving force of development and revival”.