The monitoring mission organized by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) to the liberated territories within the framework of monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the First State Program on the Great Return to the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, under the leadership of CAERC Executive Director Vusal Gasimli, has been successfully completed.

During the mission, infrastructure, social and economic projects being implemented under the State Program were inspected on-site in the districts of Aghdam, Khojaly, Fuzuli, Khojavand, Jabrayil, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin, Shusha, Kalbajar and Aghdara, as well as in the city of Khankendi. In addition to CAERC, the monitoring process involved representatives of the Special Representations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the respective districts, the relevant restoration, construction and management services, the Shusha State Reserve Administration, the Social Development Fund for Internally Displaced Persons, as well as the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Ministry of Science and Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture, State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Azerishig OJSC, Azerbaijan State Agency of Automobile Roads, Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, and the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB).

As part of the field inspections, the delegation reviewed the construction of residential areas in the city of Aghdam, the villages of Eyvazkhanbeyli and Bash Garvand, Dovlatyarly and Pirahmadli villages of the Fuzuli district, Horovlu and Shukurbeyli villages of the Jabrayil district, Jahangirbeyli village of the Zangilan district, Zilanli and Mahruzlu villages of the Gubadli district, Boyuk Galadarasi and Kichik Galadarasi villages of the Shusha district, Childiran and Heyvali villages of the Aghdara district, Zar village of the Kalbajar district, as well as the settlements of Hadrut and Karkijahan. The monitoring covered the construction and rehabilitation of residential areas, educational, healthcare, administrative and utility infrastructure. The delegation also inspected the construction of new residential zones, the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, and the State Fire Protection Unit in Shusha, as well as the restoration of apartment buildings, the major renovation of the Khankendi Victory Museum, and the reconstruction works at the Khankendi City Stadium, which are nearing completion. Furthermore, a presentation on the current status of mine clearance operations conducted by the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) was delivered in Namirli village of the Aghdam district.

The delegation also reviewed initiatives aimed at enhancing the region's economic potential and expanding employment opportunities. These included the operations of the Araz Valley Economic Zone Industrial Park, as well as livestock farms located in the Lachin Agro-Industrial Park in Zerti village of the Lachin district, together with the LATIFA Lachin Garment Factory and the PIRSHAGHI Footwear Factory.

During the mission, Elshan Yusifli, Head of the Sector for Monitoring Sectoral Programs at CAERC, emphasized that the projects implemented under the State Program serve the fundamental objectives of ensuring sustainable resettlement and the reintegration of the liberated territories into economic activity. He noted that the Program's priority areas include establishing secure living conditions and effective public administration, constructing residential settlements and providing them with modern infrastructure, facilitating the return of the population and creating sustainable communities, developing strategic infrastructure to support regional development and reintegration, integrating local economies into domestic and international value chains, improving the environmental landscape, and promoting environmentally friendly technologies. According to Elshan Yusifli, Head of the Sector for Monitoring of Sectoral Programs at CAERC confirmed that implementation across these priority areas is progressing intensively. The large-scale monitoring also demonstrated that development activities in the liberated territories are advancing rapidly, while projects supporting the return of former internally displaced persons and ensuring sustainable living conditions are being implemented dynamically. Preparations for population resettlement have already entered the final stage in several settlements, while significant steps are also being taken to encourage private investment throughout the region.

During the concluding discussions held throughout the mission, participants highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination and communication among the relevant institutions to further optimize the implementation of the State Program. They also stressed the need to promptly address potential delays in the completion of critical communication and engineering infrastructure projects. In addition, proposals were presented to enhance flood and landslide protection systems in newly established settlements and to improve the efficiency of construction activities in mountainous areas by adapting work schedules to seasonal weather-related risks.

It should be noted that, in accordance with the Decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on 16 November 2022, the responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of measures envisaged under the First State Program on the Great Return has been entrusted to the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC).