President Ilham Aliyev’s Order “On Additional Measures to Accelerate the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” is of great importance in terms of expanding state support for the development of the autonomous republic and accelerating the implementation of the strategic objectives set forth.

Elshan Yusifli, Head of the Monitoring of Sectoral programs sector of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, stated that the implementation of the measures envisaged under the Order creates additional opportunities in the areas of energy, highways, public transport, educational infrastructure, the continuation of improvement and development works in cities and districts, and the modernization of heating supply. The implementation of the envisaged measures will make an important contribution to the more efficient use of Nakhchivan’s economic potential, increased investment and business activity, improved welfare of the population, and accelerated sustainable socio-economic development of the autonomous republic.

As part of President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, important projects covering the fields of industry, energy, transport and logistics, social protection, urban planning, tourism, and the preservation of cultural heritage were presented, and the foundations of a number of facilities of fundamental importance to the country’s socio-economic development were laid. As part of the visit, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva inspected the ongoing work at the “Shams 1” and “Western Horizon” Solar Power Plants, with a total capacity of 50 MW, in Nakhchivan city. Following the full commissioning of the “Shams 1” plant, it is planned to generate approximately 57 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to supply nearly 19,000 households, prevent approximately 26,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and save 12 million cubic meters of natural gas.

The CAERC sector head noted that the development of Nakhchivan as a “green energy zone”, in addition to strengthening the region’s energy security, could make Nakhchivan an important element of regional energy transit in the formation of the Azerbaijan–Türkiye–Europe energy connection by enabling electricity exports in the future. Another important aspect of energy security is the Iğdır–Nakhchivan gas pipeline. Commissioned in 2025, the pipeline serves to diversify Nakhchivan’s gas supply sources and enhance the sustainability of its energy supply.

The establishment of the Nakhchivan Industrial Park is of particular importance in terms of strengthening the production- and processing-oriented structure of the regional economy, attracting new investments and technologies, transforming local raw materials into products with higher added value, and increasing exports and employment. The expansion of investment promotion and other state support measures provides an additional incentive for entrepreneurs’ interest in the processing industry. At the same time, the 300 MW thermal power plant planned to be constructed in the Industrial Park will contribute both to meeting Nakhchivan’s growing energy demand in the long term and to expanding future export opportunities.

As part of the modernization of Nakhchivan’s 194.2-kilometre railway infrastructure, 10 stations and 3 passenger platforms are being reconstructed. Following the completion of projects related to the Zangezur Corridor, the annual capacity of the railway line is planned to reach 15 million tons. According to Elshan Yusifli, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor will turn Nakhchivan into an important logistics hub for the East–West and North–South routes. This connectivity will ensure direct integration with the main part of Azerbaijan and the Turkish railway network, reduce logistics costs, and accelerate the formation of new business sectors.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of the Nakhchivan Regional DOST Center and the groundbreaking ceremony for the “Nakhchivan” Hotel Complex, and inspected the restoration and conservation works being carried out at the Momine Khatun Mausoleum. At the same time, the foundation of a social housing complex consisting of 518 apartments was laid in Nakhchivan city. The CAERC sector head stated that these projects, implemented to strengthen the region’s social, tourism, and cultural infrastructure, serve to increase the efficiency of public services by expanding the population’s access to employment, pensions, social protection, and other services in Nakhchivan; strengthen social welfare; expand the region’s tourism potential through the preservation of historical and cultural heritage; improve housing accessibility for the population; renew the city’s housing stock; and develop social infrastructure. The “Master Plan for the Development of Nakhchivan City until 2044”, in addition to improving the quality of life, also serves to enhance the city’s tourism and investment attractiveness.

According to Elshan Yusifli, the projects implemented within the framework of the “State Programme on the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023–2027”, approved by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 5, 2023, enable the more efficient realization of the economic potential of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, deepen its integration into the national economy, and strengthen the autonomous republic’s position as a center of production, green energy, logistics, trade, and tourism. The acceleration of the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the establishment of modern infrastructure, the efficient realization of its economic potential, the improvement of the investment and business environment, as well as the enhancement of the population’s welfare are being successfully implemented in accordance with the State Programme.