Fuad Huseynov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, gave a lecture on “IDPs and their longing for the return” to experts from 21 foreign think tanks and academic institutions representing 19 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, as well as foreign diplomats in the session as part of “Study of the Caspian Sea Basin Countries” jointly organized by ADA University and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.        

The Deputy Chairman of the State Committee informed about Armenia's unfounded territorial claims against Azerbaijan, deportation and occupation policy. He said that as a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, thousands of our compatriots were forced to live as refugees and IDPs in difficult conditions for many years. Extensive information was provided on the state policy implemented in the country under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in the field of work with refugees and IDPs, and it was noted that addressing the problems of people from this category is one of the priorities of the President`s social policy. First Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva pays particular attention to people displaced from their homeland.                         

The event participants were informed in detail about the new realities that emerged after the Victory in the Patriotic War, which began on September 27, 2020. It was noted that Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions have been established by the decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev. The Azerbaijani state has an important task of ensuring the restoration, sustainable development of the liberated territories and voluntary, safe and dignified return and reintegration of IDPs to their permanent places of residence and it is a great contribution to the stability of the region. The Great Return is reflected in "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development" as one of the main strategic priorities on the economic development of our country.        

At present, security measures are being taken, great infrastructure projects are being implemented in the liberated territories, and "Smart Village" and "Smart City" projects will be given priority. In addition, it was noted that Armenia has mined large areas of Azerbaijani lands, including non-military territories, which kept occupied for almost 30 years. So far, Armenia has grossly violated fundamental human rights, especially the right to life, by refusing to hand over the mine maps in full. It was underlined at the UN International Court of Justice that Azerbaijan demanded Armenia to take the necessary urgent measures to clear the liberated areas of mines quickly, safely and effectively, and that the international community must increase pressure on Armenia in this regard.

At the end, it was noted that the Azerbaijani state will present a new exemplary model to the world in the field of addressing the problems of refugees and IDPs, as well as in the rehabilitation of the post-conflict period and the reintegration of former IDPs to their native lands.

Later, many questions of the event participants were answered.