BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Azerbaijan's Aghdam
city, which was completely destroyed after the occupation, is
rapidly reviving today like a Phoenix from the ashes, and thousands
of people have already returned to their homeland as part of the
Great Return Program, Special Representative of the President of
Azerbaijan for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, Emin
Huseynov, said, Trend reports.


The official made the remark at the event "From Urbicide to
Revival: Sustainable Reconstruction, Resettlement, and Development
in Azerbaijan’s Liberated Territories" held within the framework of
WUF13.


According to him, when Aghdam was liberated from occupation, it
looked like the "Hiroshima of the Caucasus" or "city of
ghosts".


"If it's necessary to show what urban destruction looks like,
Aghdam is the most vivid example. When the city was liberated,
there was almost nothing left here. However, within five years, the
face of Aghdam has completely changed. Aghdam is coming back to
life like a Phoenix bird born from the ashes and will live longer
than the occupiers thought. The Great Return Program is being
implemented rapidly. Currently, there are 72 settlements in Aghdam
district, 60 in Fuzuli, and 83 in Khojavand," Huseynov noted.


He said that 11 residential neighborhoods have already been
established, 25,000 apartments, and 18,864 individual residential
houses have been built in the three districts.


The special representative emphasized that large-scale
infrastructure projects are also being implemented in the region.
Thus, 16 highways with a total length of 593.7 kilometers have been
commissioned, the Barda-Aghdam railway line has been laid, railway
and bus station complexes have been created, and an international
airport has been built.


Huseynov emphasized that currently 13,700 people live in the
three districts, including 7,000 people in Aghdam, and a total of
6,700 people in Fuzuli and Khojavand.


"This shows that people are returning to their homeland. They
are living in new homes, working, and becoming productive members
of society.


The reconstruction process is carried out in accordance with the
principles of sustainability. Residential buildings are equipped
with solar panels, alternative energy sources are used for street
lighting, and centralized heating systems are installed to increase
energy efficiency," he added.


Today marks the final day of the 13th session of the World Urban
Forum (WUF13).







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.


The fifth day of WUF13 continued discussions on the global
housing crisis, the creation of safe and inclusive cities, climate
resilience, the use of artificial intelligence in urban management,
green urbanization, and social equality.


One of the important events of the UN Special Program 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.