Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region is on an accelerated drive to rebuild and reconstruct, following three decades of conflict and war with neighbouring Armenia.
Fuzuli and Zangilan are among the districts in the region which have already seen the completion of an international airport and a smart city.
This is to ensure former inhabitants of the area are able to return home soon.
Rubble, demolished buildings and landmines have filled acres of land in the Karabakh region. What was a once lush green field is now in ruins. The 30 years long war has left a trail of destruction for both nations. However, Azerbaijan is a phoenix rising from the ashes.
The country is determined to return the Karabakh to its former glory.
Since the end of the occupation, rebuilding and service delivery has exceeded their expectation.
Two airports have been built; one in Fuzuli, Zangilan and a third in Lanchin district will reach completion in 2025.
Araz Imanov, Senior adviser under the Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in the liberated Karabakh Economic Region says the government is eager to see people who were forced out, returning, hence the Fuzuli airport was completed in 8 month.
“The usual time frames for construction work are longer. We expected this airport to be ready in one year, maybe later but the passion and will of people to contribute to the restoration is so high that everything is moving very fast. People are working very tirelessly. Even our president, immediately after the restoration said that Karabahk will be heaven on earth. We will rebuild it and restore it.”
Azerbaijani residents that were displaced as a result of the war have since been given homes in Zangilan. The village was built last year and to date, 87 homes of varying sizes have been built. 66 families have moved in since May this year.
The village consists of all facilities and amenities from a bank, to a pharmacy, home affairs offices and supermarkets.
Chief advisor, Cahid Movlayev, a special representation under the president of Azerbaijan in Zangilan district says 70 houses are ready, 130 are almost finished.
Movlayev explains the green energy concepts that have been built into the smart village. He says the country harnesses both solar and wind energy to service the water and electricity needs of the population.
“There are many smart solutions that help people. We start from school, every classroom has high speed internet. Hospital, same as school – we have equipment where people can get advice on things from abroad. All houses are insulated and can save 70% of energy. Each house has a solar panel and provides 300l hot water daily. Lights can turn on and off automatically.”
The village also provides employment to people that live there. A group of women are running a PPE factory. Their products are sent to hospitals across the country. Seamstress Hasanova Giyafat says she is happy that they are back home.
Despite a troubled past, the country is on a path to recovery and reconciliation.
Last week, foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan held talks in Geneva on a future peace treaty, following the recent deadly clashes.
Last month, 286 people were killed on both sides before a United States-brokered truce.
Full report filed by Prabashini Moodley from Azerbaijan
