Inventory of real estate, infrastructure complete in 12 liberated settlements in Azerbaijan

The inventory process for real estate and infrastructure objects has already been completed in 12 settlements of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, Report informs, citing statements by Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Anar Akhundov during a panel discussion at the 4th International Mine Action Conference.

According to him, the Ministry of Economy, within its mandate, carries out inventory, mapping, and land survey operations to plan future land use following safe clearance.

"For Azerbaijan, mine clearance is not an end in itself. The ultimate goal is for safely cleared lands to be returned to productive economic activity, creating conditions for people to live, businesses to operate, and investments to generate sustainable economic value," the deputy minister said.

He noted that Azerbaijan works closely with the UN to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev put forward an initiative to recognize humanitarian mine action as the 18th global UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Akhundov also highlighted that the first State Program on the Great Return aims to ensure the sustainable resettlement of the population, the restoration of liberated territories, and their swift integration into the national economy.

"We are already observing concrete results from these efforts," he said.

The deputy minister reported that residential settlements based on smart village and smart city principles are being established in the liberated territories, modern social infrastructure - including educational institutions - is taking shape, transport networks are expanding, and the return of residents to their native lands has already become a reality.

According to Akhundov, ongoing socio-economic reforms in the country are creating more favorable conditions for businesses and investors, which is of particular significance for the economic reintegration of the liberated lands.