The restoration process that began in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories in 2020 did not only mean the elimination of destruction and the recovery of the areas, but also marked the beginning of a new strategic stage for the state. This process emerged as a decisive political course that ensures the revival of Karabakh and East Zangezur, the comprehensive renewal of the national security system, and the further strengthening of Azerbaijan’s leading position in the regional political order. At the center of this policy stands the purposeful, consistent, and resolute leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.
The scale of the work carried out over the past five years is a real manifestation of Azerbaijan’s statehood strength. The complete renewal from scratch of cities in Karabakh and East Zangezur—from master plans to the entire infrastructure system—has already created a new political and economic reality in the region. This reality once again demonstrates Azerbaijan’s will, the inviolability of the principle of sovereignty, and the fact that no external political pressure can change the country’s internal agenda in the post-conflict period. The restoration process is also the most important factor indicating that the balance of power in the region has been fully formed in favor of Azerbaijan. It is also entirely appropriate to add one important factor here: Azerbaijan is rebuilding its liberated territories on its own, with its own resources, from scratch. This is yet another indicator of Azerbaijan’s economic strength and a demonstration before the world.
Ilham Aliyev’s leadership forms the political core of the “Great Return”
The “Great Return” program is the strategic manifestation of the new reality. The implementation of the program marks the beginning of a new stage and is a state-level confirmation of the will of the Azerbaijani people to reclaim their lands. This policy is not a fragmentary social project; it is a conceptual state program that redesigns Azerbaijan’s national security architecture, strengthens demographic and administrative stability in the region, and turns the country not into an alternative to regional power centers, but directly into a center itself.
At the heart of this strategic course stands the personality of President Ilham Aliyev.
The establishment of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Coordination Headquarters for addressing issues in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a centralized manner, as well as the regular visits of the head and members of the Headquarters to the liberated territories to coordinate and ensure control over the work being carried out, should be valued as an important step.
It is precisely Ilham Aliyev’s political will, resolute leadership, and his personal direction of the processes that have turned into the decisive factor determining the fate of Karabakh and East Zangezur in 2020–2025. The head of state’s participation in 569 events in the liberated territories, laying the foundation of 177 strategic projects, and inaugurating 167 facilities is not merely an indicator of activity — it is fundamental proof confirming that the political architecture of the post-conflict period has been directly shaped by him.
This leadership constitutes the main pillar of Azerbaijan’s new security doctrine, ensures that the country becomes a decisive player in the regional balance of power, and strengthens an uncompromising position on sovereignty. The President’s consistent visits and decisions reinforce a centralized political model of governance domestically, while on the international stage, they demonstrate the unchanging nature of Azerbaijan’s will.
Today, it is already clear that the restoration and reconstruction policy carried out in the liberated territories is not merely a technical process. This means the state is reconstructing its strategic space in line with the approach defined by Ilham Aliyev, reinforcing its long-term political arguments in the region, and fully restoring the historical justice of the Azerbaijani people at the state level.
Restoration of settlements and return of the population
The measures implemented over five years in planning the liberated territories should not be assessed merely as a technical stage of the restoration process. Everything is included in this process — it is carried out in a comprehensive manner. During this period, the approval of master plans for 8 cities, detailed plans for 3 cities, and settlement-development documents for 91 residential areas not only form the new urbanistic map of Karabakh and East Zangezur, but also lay the foundation for the region’s long-term political, demographic, and economic stability. The ongoing design work for another 20 residential areas shows that the process is being implemented in a consistent and systematic way.
The "Great Return" program no longer presents itself as just a set of infrastructure projects, but as a practical manifestation of Azerbaijan's statehood will and political legitimacy. As a result of the phased relocation of the population to 6 cities, 2 settlements, and 22 villages over the past five years, more than 62,000 citizens now live, work, and study there, confirming the priority direction of the country’s social policy. This process holds strategic significance both for ensuring normal living conditions for former internally displaced persons and for restoring the demographic balance of the region. Considering the existing dynamics, it is forecasted that in the coming years the resettlement process will further expand and the region’s political and social integration will deepen.
Creation of education and healthcare infrastructure
The construction of the education infrastructure from scratch in the liberated territories is an important component of both the social rehabilitation of the region and the long-term development strategy. The 19 general education schools now in use (16 of which are operating, and 3 will begin operating once resettlement starts) and 13 preschool education institutions (7 of which are operating) form the basic structure of the region’s education system. 3,695 students and 262 children are receiving education in these institutions. In parallel, the ongoing construction of 32 new educational institutions shows that the process is consistent, planned, and large-scale in nature.
Staff provision is also a strategic element of the restoration phase: the commencement of work by 370 teachers and 129 technical employees in general education institutions, and by 26 educators and 55 technical staff in preschool institutions, confirms that the teaching process in the region has been genuinely restored.
In particular, the launch of Karabakh University in Khankendi opens a new stage in the intellectual map of the region. The fact that 2,152 students are studying at the university across 34 bachelor’s specialties, more than 400 teachers and administrative staff have been involved in teaching, 6 faculties have been formed, and 14 laboratories, 3 libraries, and 5 centers are operating lays the foundation for Khankendi to become an academic and scientific hub in the future. These indicators show that education has become a leading political and social instrument in the overall revival of the region.
The progress achieved in the field of healthcare is also considered a strategic stage in the restoration of social infrastructure in the liberated territories. The Shusha Treatment and Health Center has already been put into operation. The construction of three modern hospitals in the Jabrayil, Aghdam, and Fuzuli districts continues. Their launch will not only provide medical services but also serve as an important factor for the permanent settlement of the population and the formation of a stable social environment in the region. The new healthcare infrastructure is becoming an essential element of the long-term development model.
Transport infrastructure
The projects implemented in the direction of integrating the region into the international transport system are among the most strategic outcomes of the past five years. The commissioning of the Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Lachin international airports serves the formation of new air gateways that connect Karabakh both with other regions of the country and with regional transport networks. These airports not only expand logistical capabilities but also make an important contribution to increasing the economic and political weight of the region.
The scale of the work carried out on road infrastructure is also noteworthy. Out of 60 projects for highways planned for construction with a total length of 3,501.6 kilometers, 16 have been fully completed and 1 has been partially implemented. Excavation works have been completed in 28 tunnels, and the construction of 392 bridges and 9 viaducts on highways has already been finalized.
The restoration of the railway network is of decisive importance in terms of completely renewing the region's transport connections. The laying of the foundation for the Khankendi Railway Station Complex, 73% completion of the design works for the Agdam–Khankendi railway line, 68% completion of the Horadiz–Agbend line, the completion of the construction of 42 out of the 49 planned bridges related to railway construction, and the commissioning of 3 bridges create a real basis for Azerbaijan’s strategic goal — turning Karabakh into a regional transport hub.
The construction of the highway and railway line in the Zangezur corridor, as well as the Agband–Kalala bridge over the Araz River, the connection of the Horadiz–Jabrayil–Zangilan–Agband highway with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the construction of the Horadiz–Agband highway and railways — which are integral parts of the Zangezur corridor — and the planned works related to the construction of the relevant checkpoint, including the current situation on the organization of customs control and the creation of infrastructure, indicate Azerbaijan’s readiness to become a transport hub between East and West, North and South.
The work carried out allows us to confidently say that the transport map of Karabakh is being reshaped.
Establishment of energy supply
The construction of modern energy infrastructure from scratch in the liberated territories serves as one of the key strategic pillars of the region’s socio-economic revival. Over the past five years, 14 new substations with a capacity of 330–1,110 kV have been built, and 38 Hydroelectric Power Stations have been commissioned. This has both increased transmission capacity and ensured the stability of electricity supply.
In 2024, the commissioning of the "Khudaferin" hydropower station built on the Araz River and the opening ceremony of the "Maiden's Tower" hydropower station were held.
The total length of cable lines exceeding 1000 km reflects the scale of expansion of the energy system and the consistency of the work carried out in this area. In addition, the digital management of the energy sector, the renewal of dispatching systems, and the application of automation technologies demonstrate that energy security in the region has been aligned with modern standards.
Significant projects are also being implemented in terms of the region’s water supply. Since the territories were liberated from occupation, 4 reservoirs have been put into operation (Sugovushan, Khachinchay, Zabukhchay, and Kondalanchay), while the construction of 2 reservoirs (Bargushad and Hakari) and the repair of the Sarsang reservoir are planned.
The Shafag Solar Power Plant, being constructed in Jabrayil, serves as the core of the region’s green energy strategy. With a capacity of 240 MW and an annual production of 500 million kWh, the plant, valued at 200 million USD, confirms the application of an innovative, eco-friendly, and long-term development model in the restoration of Karabakh. The project’s shareholders — BP, SOCAR, and the Azerbaijan Investment Company — also make it a significant example of the practical mechanism for achieving Azerbaijan’s goal of becoming a green energy hub.
In parallel, the completion of six major gas pipeline projects, the establishment of new gas transportation infrastructures, and the sequential gasification of Lachin, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Khankendi, Khojaly, Shusha, Kalbajar, as well as 20 villages and settlements, have contributed to social welfare in the region and created the necessary conditions for the operation of industrial and production enterprises. This process also serves as a key technical foundation ensuring the sustainability of the Return program.
Industrial zones and economic development
The “Aghdam” and “Araz Valley Economic Zone” industrial parks, playing a decisive role in shaping the economic model of East Zangezur, have become the main economic platforms ensuring the establishment of the region’s new industrial architecture.
Both parks host 50 resident enterprises and 7 non-resident enterprises. Projects implemented with a total value of 454 million manat involved investments of 185 million manat and created 1,057 new jobs.
These figures demonstrate the steadily growing business interest in the liberated territories.
The total value of products manufactured in industrial parks has reached 949.4 million manat, indicating that the new economic structure of Karabakh and East Zangezur is beginning to take shape. In addition, exports worth 39.5 million manat demonstrate that the region’s integration into an export-oriented economic model has already entered a tangible phase. This shows that access to foreign markets has expanded and the competitiveness of production capacity has increased.
Ensuring permanent employment in industrial parks is crucial for social stability and supports the process of demographic revival.
The annual turnover of operating enterprises amounts to 185 million manat, signaling that the industrial zones will generate even greater economic synergy in the coming years, and East Zangezur will become a strategic hub on the country’s overall industrial map.
Mine clearance activities
After the liberation of our lands, the primary task was undoubtedly the clearance of mines. Between 2020 and 2025, the process of clearing mines and explosive remnants in the liberated territories was not only an engineering operation but also a strategic necessity for restoring regional security and organizing phased resettlement. During this period, more than 240,000 hectares were cleared, reflecting the scale of the long-standing threat infrastructure in the region. At the same time, 209,168 mines and other explosive devices were neutralized, including 38,600 anti-personnel mines, 22,192 anti-tank mines, and 148,376 other explosive remnants, demonstrating the extent to which the territories have been freed from real hazards.
These figures are not just statistics; they demonstrate that the key condition for restoring economic activity, enabling the return of internally displaced persons, and implementing infrastructure projects—a safe environment—has been ensured. The clearance process allows agricultural lands to be put back into use, facilitates investment inflows, and makes social projects possible.
Every hectare cleared of mines carries strategic importance for the stabilization and rapid development of the region, and the continuous implementation of this process forms the foundation of a long-term development concept for Karabakh and East Zangezur.
Five-year restoration program
This five-year period shows that Azerbaijan has carried out comprehensive large-scale projects across all sectors aimed at the restoration and revival of territories liberated from occupation. The most important aspect of this process is that the work being done, the decisions being taken, and the development course being set are executed under the personal leadership and direct supervision of President Ilham Aliyev. The President’s participation in hundreds of foundation-laying and opening ceremonies, his regular visits, and his personal coordination of work in the region clearly demonstrate how the revival of Karabakh and East Zangezur is managed with political will.
The establishment of residential settlements, the return of the population, the construction of modern education and healthcare facilities, as well as the creation of a transportation network consisting of airports, roads, and railways, are practical results of the President’s strategic vision. At the same time, the modernization of the energy system, the implementation of green energy projects, and the formation of industrial parks emerge as projects directly reflecting the head of state’s economic philosophy.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares cleared of mines and explosive ordnance, hundreds of millions of manats in investments, and thousands of new jobs demonstrate the real contours of the new Karabakh, shaped by the consistent decisions and personal leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.
The results achieved today once again confirm that the restoration of Karabakh and East Zangezur is a direct product of President Ilham Aliyev’s political will, strategic thinking, and personal determined efforts, and that the “Great Return” program, under his leadership, has become the country’s most successful development model.
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