Karabakh and East Zangezur Emerge as Hubs of Development and Peace, Hosting Landmark ECO Summit in Khankendi

Baku, The Gulf Observer: The liberated territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur have rapidly transformed into vibrant centers of development, international cooperation, and cultural renaissance, drawing significant global attention. In a short span of time, these regions have hosted an impressive array of international events, underlining their growing geopolitical and economic significance.

The region’s transformation was once again in the global spotlight with the successful hosting of the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Khankendi. Speaking to AZERTAC, political commentator Aligismet Badalov emphasized that this high-profile event, held at the newly constructed Congress Center, is a testament to Azerbaijan’s extensive and ongoing reconstruction and restoration efforts throughout the liberated territories.

Badalov noted that Karabakh and East Zangezur are now widely recognized as promising centers for development and peace in the South Caucasus. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s increasingly active engagement within the ECO, underscoring the country’s deepening relations with member states and its rising profile in the international arena.

Notably, Azerbaijan made history by hosting the COP29 climate conference, which saw participation from 197 countries, including 70 heads of state and government, and registration of over 77,000 attendees. According to Badalov, such milestones reflect the country’s leadership in global affairs.

He further remarked that Azerbaijan broke new ground by initiating the first-ever ECO Week, which featured a series of events across the liberated territories, including the ECO Business Forum in Shusha, Youth Forum in Aghdam, and Women’s Forum in Lachin. Participants had the opportunity to witness not only the visible signs of rapid development but also the extensive damage inflicted during the 30-year occupation by Armenian forces.

“These visits exposed the atrocities committed during the occupation and the scale of destruction,” said Badalov. “The participants also observed the remarkable reconstruction progress, which reflects Azerbaijan’s firm resolve and commitment to revitalizing these historic lands.”

He emphasized the emotional and symbolic significance of seeing the flags of friendly and allied nations flying alongside the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi and other liberated cities. He noted that the designation of Shusha as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2026 further affirms the region’s emergence as a major platform for international dialogue, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation.

In his comments, Badalov also recalled President Ilham Aliyev’s address during the Summit, where the Azerbaijani leader highlighted the cultural and religious devastation wrought by Armenian forces during the occupation. “Out of 67 mosques, 65 were completely destroyed, while the remaining two were desecrated and used as stables — a grave insult to Islam and the Muslim world,” he said. Cemeteries were desecrated, and tombstones were looted, with the total damage estimated at $150 billion.

He also pointed out that the ECO has consistently supported Azerbaijan’s just position. A recent milestone was the unanimous adoption of a resolution at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, reaffirming the right of return for Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from present-day Armenia — a resolution that Azerbaijan deeply values.

According to Badalov, the leaders of ECO member states expressed profound satisfaction with convening in Khankendi and commended Azerbaijan’s vision of turning these territories into bastions of peace, stability, and prosperity. They noted that the Summit would serve as a catalyst for strengthening multilateral cooperation and fostering inclusive development across the region.

A key outcome of the Summit was the adoption of the Khankendi Communiqué, which serves as the official Chair’s Summary. The document commended Azerbaijan’s large-scale reconstruction efforts, reaffirmed the right of return for displaced Azerbaijanis, and addressed other pressing regional priorities.

“The Khankendi Summit will go down in history as a milestone toward transforming Karabakh and East Zangezur into vibrant, peaceful, and forward-looking regions,” Badalov concluded.