Foreign youth delegation visits rebuilt Aghdam as part of ECO forum PHOTO

On June 30, over 100 young delegates from seven countries participating in the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Youth Forum visited the city of Aghdam, where they observed ongoing large-scale reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the district’s liberation.

The visit, organised by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, aimed to acquaint international youth representatives with Aghdam’s restoration process and historical significance, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The delegation toured key landmarks of the city, including the newly rebuilt railway and bus stations, the Aghdam Mugham Centre, and the historic Juma Mosque.

Participants were briefed on Aghdam’s turbulent past, its decades-long occupation, and the ambitious reconstruction plans shaping its future. The visit concluded with a cultural reception featuring Azerbaijani traditional elements and a vibrant entertainment program.

The trip is part of a broader initiative tied to ECO Week, during which the Youth Forum serves as a platform to elevate the role of young people in regional dialogue and development, and to highlight their contribution to shaping future generations.

Aghdam, a once-thriving city in Azerbaijan, suffered immense destruction during its nearly 30-year occupation by Armenian forces following the First Karabakh War, which lasted until 1994. At the time, 89 villages — approximately 73 per cent of Aghdam’s territory — fell under Armenian control, leaving only a few areas in Azerbaijani hands. The occupation led to the deaths of around 6,000 Azerbaijani residents and the displacement of 126,000 people. Infrastructural devastation was nearly total, with homes, institutions, and public utilities reduced to ruins.

In 2020, after renewed clashes sparked by Armenian provocations, Azerbaijan launched a 44-day military counter-offensive and reclaimed significant territories, including the cities of Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Shusha, and hundreds of settlements across Karabakh and East Zangazur.

The war ended with a tripartite ceasefire statement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on November 10, 2020. Under this agreement, Armenia was required to return Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin to Azerbaijan. Aghdam became the first district to be handed back under the terms of the agreement by December 1, 2020.

Since then, the Azerbaijani government has placed Aghdam at the heart of a nationwide post-war recovery initiative aimed at restoring the Karabakh and East Zangazur regions. Reconstruction projects include modern infrastructure, transportation hubs, cultural centres, and housing developments. 

By Tamilla Hasanova