The Working Group on mine clearance and unexploded ordnance, operating under the Interdepartmental Center of the coordination headquarters for resolving issues in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, convened a meeting in Aghdam.

The meeting was attended by Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Working Group, Bashir Hajiyev, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh Economic Region (excluding Shusha), the Chief Adviser of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Deputy Head of the Interdepartmental Central Secretariat, representatives of relevant state bodies, as well as officials from the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha Region, and the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan regions of the Eastern Zangazur Economic Region.

During the meeting, the Working Group discussed the clearance of mines and explosive devices in the areas designated for relevant projects in the liberated territories, based on requests received from both state and private organizations, in accordance with the priorities set by the government.

During his opening speech, Vugar Suleymanov reported that state and private organizations involved in demining activities had cleared 68,000 hectares of land in the territories liberated after the Second Karabakh War, and had successfully detected and neutralized more than 82,000 explosive devices. He also highlighted the significant progress made under the Great Return program, specifically in relation to demining and the reconstruction of strategically important projects in Agdam.

During the meeting, Bashir Hajiyev, the Deputy Special Representative of the President in the liberated territories included in the Karabakh Economic Region, provided an update on the demining activities and socio-economic projects being carried out in Karabakh. He emphasized that these efforts are in line with the President's objectives for the reconstruction of the liberated territories and the establishment of sustainable settlements.

Sultan Hajiyev, the Chief Adviser of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, provided an overview of the Coordination Headquarters' activities during the previous period. He discussed the restoration and construction works that have been carried out in the territories liberated after demining operations, as well as the tasks and obligations that lie ahead for 2023.

During the meeting, the importance of employee training programs for both private and state institutions operating in the recently liberated territories was discussed. The participants also highlighted the benefits of collaboration and shared utilization of existing resources for demining efforts.

As part of the event held in the Agdam region, the attendees had the opportunity to visit demining sites where various organizations are currently engaged in activities designated by the government for 2023. The progress of ongoing projects was reviewed during these visits.