900 families set to return to Azerbaijan’s Aghdam under Great Return initiative, official says

Under Azerbaijan’s Great Return program, 900 families are expected to be resettled in Aghdam next month, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

The announcement was made by Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, during the 3rd National Urban Forum of Azerbaijan held in Khankendi, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“Next month, the first 900 families are expected to return to Aghdam. This is the next stage of the Great Return process and joyful news for all of us,” Huseynov stated.

Highlighting the scale and speed of infrastructure development in the region, Huseynov noted that 16 major roads—spanning a total of 600 kilometres—along with the Baku-Aghdam railway, have been fully restored. Additionally, an international airport has been constructed and operationalised within just eight months.

According to Huseynov, all reconstruction and resettlement efforts are being carried out under a comprehensive and unified master plan for the liberated territories.

“It is a great pride to witness the processes that have taken place over the past five years and to be part of the restoration process in Karabakh,” he remarked.

Aghdam, once heavily affected by the conflict, is now poised to become the largest urban centre among the liberated territories and the fourth largest city in Azerbaijan overall. The government plans to accommodate 100,000 residents in Aghdam and an additional 50,000 in Fuzuli.

The master plans for both cities, formulated in collaboration with international experts, articulate a comprehensive vision for their urban development extending through to the year 2040.

By Vafa Guliyeva