Baku: Azerbaijan has committed $14.7 billion towards the reconstruction of Karabakh and East Zangezur, focusing on modern urban planning principles. Housing policy is a central element of this urbanization strategy, as emphasized by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, during the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, since the inception of the State Housing Construction Agency in 2016, over 12,000 families have been assisted through affordable housing initiatives. This has enabled tens of thousands to access housing finance via below-market mortgage schemes. The Great Return Program is cited as a prime example of the New Urban Agenda's practical application in Azerbaijan, aiming at comprehensive rebuilding efforts in areas previously occupied and affected by ecocide.

Over the past five years, significant progress has been made with investments targeted at infrastructure and housing in the liberated regions. The total investment is set to increase to $18 billion by 2028, incorporating smart infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable land use, and digital governance. More than half of the region's area has been designated as a green zone under the new special planning approach.

To facilitate the effective execution of the Great Return Program, the Azerbaijani government has established a specialized institutional framework and appointed special presidential representatives for the liberated territories, as outlined by Anar Guliyev.