Foreign diplomats were briefed on addressing the IDP issues in Azerbaijan and the Great Return process, according to the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, EDnews informs.

Fuad Huseynov, deputy chairman of the committee, delivered a speech at the session held within the framework of the Advanced Foreign Services Program (AFSP) in cooperation with the Agency for International Development (AIDA) under the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Azerbaijan and ADA University.

Huseynov gave a lecture on "Addressing IDP issue in Azerbaijan - Long-term Internally Displaced Persons and the Long-awaited Return" to about 31 high-ranking diplomats representing 27 countries, in which he provided information about the deprivations and difficulties experienced by more than 1 million people who have been subjected to living as refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of Armenia's occupation and deportation policy.

The deputy chairman spoke about the Great Return process as one of the main priorities in the socio-economic development strategy of his country - “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development”.

The diplomats were informed that large-scale infrastructure projects are currently being implemented in the liberated territories.

In this context, the State Committee and ADA University provided information about the project “Conducting a sociological survey among internally displaced persons in order to ensure the return of the population and their integration into the territories and preparing preliminary forecasts”. It was noted that Armenia’s landmine contamination of the territories it has occupied for many years remains a serious obstacle to the Great Return process.

It was also noted at the event that the Azerbaijani state is presenting an exemplary model on a global scale, not only in the field of solving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, but also in terms of post-conflict rehabilitation and reintegration of former internally displaced persons in their homelands.

The diplomats were also informed in detail about the deportation of Azerbaijanis from the lands of Western Azerbaijan and the crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people.

After the lecture, the documentary "This is My Home" by Jeyhun Garabaghly, a young man born and raised in America and originally from the Suleymanli village of Jabrayil region, was displayed. The documentary is about the visit to the author's ancestral homeland. Video clips demonstrating the reconstruction and construction work in the liberated territories and the prosperous lives of the people were also played at the event, and printed materials prepared by the state committee were distributed to the participants.

Fatima Shukurova // EDnews