The reconstruction and restoration works being carried out in the liberated territories are a huge mission facing our government, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmat Hajiyev, said during the event titled “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnerships and Decision-Making,” APA reports.
He stated that a vast area has been contaminated with mines: “Cities were destroyed, but now new life is reviving on those lands, and new cities are being built. Since childhood, we read in history books that cities were destroyed as a result of occupations, wars, and conflicts. Unfortunately, in the 21st century, we are now witnessing this live with our own eyes and through screens. Cities disappear and are subjected to massive destruction. In Azerbaijan’s case as well, we lost nine cities due to deliberate destruction. Our cities were completely razed to the ground. As our President also said yesterday, Aghdam is called the ‘Hiroshima of the Caucasus.’ This is not because of nuclear weapons, but because of destruction carried out by human hands. A city where 100,000 people once lived was dismantled stone by stone and completely destroyed. However, I can say with satisfaction that this is now in the past. We are looking toward the future. In the post-conflict period, with new ambitions, we are building new cities and a new life for our citizens, including former internally displaced persons returning to their native lands in conditions of dignity and safety. Taking all these factors into account, I can say that Azerbaijan is the right and appropriate venue to host the World Urban Forum and hold such discussions. We are ready to share our experience, and at the same time, we are open to learning from our partners and civil society institutions coming from different regions of the world.”
