BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Kalbajar has been one of the areas most heavily contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance, making demining operations the first and most critical stage of reconstruction efforts, said Bashir Hajiyev, the Azerbaijani president’s special representative in the Kalbajar district, Trend reports.
Speaking at the event “The Path from Urbicide to Post-Conflict Reconstruction” at the Azerbaijan Pavilion during the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), Hajiyev said clearing the territories is essential both for rebuilding infrastructure and ensuring the safe return of displaced residents to their native lands.
“Between 2020 and 2023, more than 270,000 hectares of land across Azerbaijan, including thousands of hectares in the Kalbajar district, were cleared of mines,” Hajiyev said.
He noted that since 2021, mine and explosive ordnance incidents across Azerbaijan have affected hundreds of people, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
“A significant portion of these statistics relates to Kalbajar,” he said. “As a result of mine incidents in the district, eight people have been killed and 43 injured, with a total of 51 victims recorded.”
Hajiyev emphasized that mine clearance remains a key prerequisite for reconstruction, the development of new settlements and the long-term recovery of post-conflict areas.
Today marks the fifth day of WUF13 in Baku.
The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and Azerbaijani flags also took place.
The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit, featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin American region and preparing for WUF14.
The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and sustainable transport.
One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and the Turkish city of Trabzon.
The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.
One of the important events of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the “Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”
Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and Decision-Making” was held.
WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the forum brings together governments, international organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development.
