Siena:President Ilham Aliyev announced the restoration of 600 hectares of forest land in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions as part of efforts to eliminate the environmental consequences of past occupation. This statement was made during his address to participants at the 6th Azerbaijan International "Restoration, Reconstruction and Development of Karabakh" exhibition, also known as "Rebuild Garabagh."

According to Azeri-Press news agency, President Aliyev highlighted that 54,300 hectares of forest land had been destroyed and that land and water resources were polluted during the occupation. The restoration efforts focus on forests and aquatic ecosystems and include implementing construction solutions that are resilient to climate change impacts, which are crucial for the region's long-term development.

President Aliyev also mentioned that the second phase of the State Program on the Great Return aims to enhance private investment, create permanent employment, and boost export-oriented production. These efforts are intended to strengthen the economic role of Karabakh and East Zangezur, positioning them as a new growth center in Azerbaijan's economy. The innovative urban planning and engineering solutions being applied in the region are expected to serve as a model for other parts of Azerbaijan and potentially internationally.