The restoration of the liberated territories and the return of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native homelands are evaluated as an integral part of long-term socio-economic development. Under these circumstances, state success is determined not only by infrastructural reconstruction, but also by the sustainable settlement of the returning population, provision of employment, and reintegration of the region into the national economy. These precise criteria distinguish the First State Program on the Great Return as a distinct model of post-conflict recovery in international practice.

During his address at the 8th Congress of the New Azerbaijan Party, President Ilham Aliyev stated that 96,000 people currently live, work, and study in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. To date, 28 billion manats have been allocated toward the development of these regions, and former IDPs have already settled across 48 residential areas.

Commenting on the subject, Tarana Salifova, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), stated that the Great Return has transitioned from the construction phase into a stage of sustainable settlement and the revitalization of economic life. While this process primarily entails the physical return of displaced persons to their native lands, it can simultaneously be regarded as the formation of long-term socio-economic development, institutional governance, and a sustainable settlement model. The Great Return is executed in a planned and phased manner under the State Program, where demining in the initial phase, followed by the establishment of the road and transport network and the restoration of energy, water, and telecommunication lines, were defined as fundamental prerequisites for return.

In the subsequent phase, one of the central priorities is expanding the geographical scope of the return and reinforcing the socio-economic welfare of the returning population. Resettlement has been carried out for: 118 families (365 individuals) to the city of Aghdam; 2 families (10 individuals) to the village of Sarijali; 4 families (11 individuals) to the village of Chapar in the Aghdara district; 4 families (9 individuals) to the village of Ashaghi Oratagh; 5 families (18 individuals) to the village of Vangli; 1 family (4 individuals) to the city of Jabrayil; 58 families (362 individuals) to the village of Shukurbayli; 3 families (13 individuals) to the city of Khankendi; 5 families (22 individuals) to the settlement of Karkijahan; 17 families (78 individuals) to the city of Khojaly; 1 family (4 individuals) to the village of Ballija; 3 families (15 individuals) to the village of Khanabad; 5 families (22 individuals) to the village of Khanyurdu; 7 families (31 individuals) to the village of Tazabina; 49 families (190 individuals) to the city of Khojavend; 9 families (44 individuals) to the settlement of Girmizi Bazar; 8 families (41 individuals) to the village of Quzeykhirman; 1 family (4 individuals) to the village of Guneykhirman; 1 family (4 individuals) to the village of Khojavendkand; and 1 family (4 individuals) to the city of Lachin. In total, the resettlement of 302 families comprising 1,251 individuals was executed during September 2026.

Tarana Salifova emphasized that the process is currently regarded as comprehensive socio-economic rehabilitation. The employment, social protection, and access to education and healthcare services of the returning population are among top state priorities. The returning population builds a dignified life by being provided with employment in their native lands. Tangible results of this approach are visible across the industrial landscape as well. Production hubs such as the Aghdam Industrial Park and the Araz Valley Economic Zone, smart village and smart city projects, and investment and tax incentives expand economic activity in the region. This year, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev, inauguration ceremonies were held for the work glove manufacturing enterprise of "GP Safety" LLC in Khankendi and "Karabakh Textile House" LLC in Khojaly. Operating in the Asgaran settlement of the Khojaly district, the "AzCement" facility manufactures cement with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons, envisaging employment for 70 individuals.

Within the framework of mining industry development, the "Damirli" Ore Processing Complex commenced operations in the village of Janyatag in the Aghdara district. This marks the first operational mining project in the liberated territories, projecting the export of 85,000 tons of copper metal. Permanent employment has been provided to 980 people at the complex, 260 of whom are former IDPs and returning residents, with the workforce slated to expand to 1,250 in subsequent years.

As the Head of State underscored, the Great Return will proceed at an accelerated pace in the coming years. Return does not conclude solely with homebuilding; its sustainability is secured through employment, social services, and the restoration of economic activity. From an economic perspective, the Great Return signifies the reactivation of regional potential, aiming to elevate social welfare while transforming the region into an active, dynamic contributor to the national economy.