BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Kalbajar has been one
of the areas most heavily contaminated with landmines and
unexploded ordnance, making demining operations the first and most
critical stage of reconstruction efforts, said Bashir Hajiyev, the
Azerbaijani president’s special representative in the Kalbajar
district, Trend
reports.


Speaking at the event “The Path from Urbicide to Post-Conflict
Reconstruction” at the Azerbaijan Pavilion during the 13th session
of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), Hajiyev said clearing the
territories is essential both for rebuilding infrastructure and
ensuring the safe return of displaced residents to their native
lands.


“Between 2020 and 2023, more than 270,000 hectares of land
across Azerbaijan, including thousands of hectares in the Kalbajar
district, were cleared of mines,” Hajiyev said.


He noted that since 2021, mine and explosive ordnance incidents
across Azerbaijan have affected hundreds of people, resulting in
dozens of deaths and injuries.


“A significant portion of these statistics relates to Kalbajar,”
he said. “As a result of mine incidents in the district, eight
people have been killed and 43 injured, with a total of 51 victims
recorded.”


Hajiyev emphasized that mine clearance remains a key
prerequisite for reconstruction, the development of new settlements
and the long-term recovery of post-conflict areas.


Today marks the fifth day of WUF13 in Baku.


The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the
New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women
and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and
Azerbaijani flags also took place.


The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit,
featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis,
urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the
opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a
significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of
events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe
and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence
and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and
sustainable transport.


One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a
sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and
the Turkish city of Trabzon.


The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events
dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban
development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.


One of the important events of the UN Special Programme for the
Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth
day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the
“Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart
Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”


Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s
initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and
Decision-Making” was held.


WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.