On 15 July 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) signed a Contribution Agreement for the project “Integrated Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban Development towards Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Settlements in the East Zangezur Economic Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” The Agreement was signed by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
The Agreement marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat. For the first time, UN-Habitat will directly contribute to the planning of settlements in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. The partnership will support the creation of more sustainable and people-centred living environments for residents returning to their native lands under the Second State Programme on the Great Return.
Under the Agreement, international experts from UN-Habitat, together with Azerbaijani specialists, will prepare spatial planning documents for Guyjag village in the Jabrayil district and Mollabayramli village in the Kalbajar district. In addition, approaches to the planning of sustainable settlements in Garabagh and East Zangezur will be further enhanced in line with recommendations of leading international professional organisations.
A key component of the partnership is strengthening national human capital and institutional capacity. To this end, international experts will deliver training programmes and practical workshops for Azerbaijani professionals working in urban planning, spatial planning and sustainable development. This will facilitate the application of international best practices in Azerbaijan, enhance the knowledge and skills of local specialists, and strengthen long-term national expertise in the restoration and development of the liberated territories.
The initiative will support the implementation of the objectives set out in the Second State Programme on the Great Return. By combining UN-Habitat’s international expertise with Azerbaijan’s achievements in the restoration and reconstruction of its liberated territories, the partnership will contribute to the development of settlements featuring modern infrastructure, high-quality living environments and sustainable spatial solutions, creating more favourable conditions for the safe, comfortable and dignified return of citizens to their native lands.
