On June 23, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Ali Asadov, the first meeting of the Commission established for the preparation of the “2027–2030 Socio-Economic Development Strategy” and the “Second State Program on the Great Return” was held.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Ministers, heads of working groups, government members, and representatives of relevant agencies.

Prime Minister Ali Asadov highlighted that, following the 44-day war and the pandemic, Azerbaijan set strategic goals for the 2021-2030 period based on the emerging conditions, new circumstances, and available resources. These strategic goals are reflected in the Presidential Decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev, which includes five National Priorities.

To implement these National Priorities, the “2022–2026 Socio-Economic Development Strategy” and the “First State Program on the Great Return” were approved in 2022 based on the relevant Decrees signed by the President.

To date, 7 billion manats have been allocated from the state budget for the implementation of the Strategy, and approximately 78% of the planned tasks have been carried out. The overall execution rate of the “First State Program on the Great Return” is about 79%. A total of 21.6 billion manats have been allocated for the restoration of the liberated territories, including 2025.

The construction of 15 residential settlements in liberated areas has been completed in the first phase, and the reintegration of the population into economic activities has been ensured. Currently, construction is ongoing in 27 residential settlements, and 25 settlements are undergoing repair and restoration. Foundations have been laid for 21 residential settlements.

During the meeting, the regulations for the Commission’s work were determined, and discussions were held regarding the tasks to be accomplished and the actions to be taken in the near future.

The meeting emphasized that the tasks arising from the Presidential Decrees should be carried out efficiently, effectively, and on time, with sub-working group meetings held at least once a month. Regular updates on the progress of the work were also mandated.

A specific timeline for the preparation and completion of the Strategy and the State Program was set during the meeting.

Prime Minister Ali Asadov emphasized that, while preparing the Strategy and State Program, the available financial resources should be considered. The actions intended to achieve the goals should be based on realistic, precise, and measurable indicators. Moreover, other relevant documents and projects outlined in the First State Program, as well as those optimized for the future, should be taken into account.

The Prime Minister also noted that conceptual issues arising from the Strategy and the State Program, along with final drafts, are planned to be discussed in stages at the Economic Council.

It is important to note that, by the Presidential Decree No. 611, dated May 30, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers was tasked with preparing the “2027–2030 Socio-Economic Development Strategy” and the “Second State Program on the Great Return” within 9 months.

To ensure the implementation of this task, a Commission was created under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, and its composition was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Decree, dated June 18, 2025. The Commission aims to coordinate the activities of relevant state bodies in the preparation of the Strategy and State Program.

Two working groups have been established to prepare the Strategy and State Program, with Deputy Prime Ministers Shahin Mustafayev and Samir Sharifov appointed as heads of the groups.

Nine sub-working groups were created for the preparation of the Strategy, and four sub-working groups were established for the Second State Program on the Great Return.

In line with the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development,” it is crucial to continue ensuring the sustainable development of the recent socio-economic achievements, expanding the attraction of foreign direct investments, strengthening the favorable business environment, increasing the knowledge and technology capacity of the economy, and ensuring the sustainability of the Great Return to the liberated areas through targeted policies and reforms.