I extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the occasion of the opening of the 6th Azerbaijan International Exhibition “Rebuild Garabagh” — “The Restoration, Reconstruction and Development of Garabagh” — and wish all participants every success. 

The Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War laid the foundation for a new stage of reconstruction and development in Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur. Under the First State Programme on the Great Return, our cities and villages are being rebuilt, and the safe return of our compatriots to their homelands is being ensured. Azerbaijan is carrying out this work using its own financial resources. To date, 25.5 billion manats have been allocated from the state budget for restoration and reconstruction. 

To ensure the safe implementation of the Great Return, more than 300,000 hectares of land have been cleared of mines and explosive ordnance, and more than 40,000 people have returned to 47 settlements. Nearly 100,000 people now live, study and work in the territories liberated from occupation. 

The transport infrastructure being developed in Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur connects settlements with one another and with the country’s common economic space. To date, nearly 1,500 kilometres of roads have been built. The 11.7-kilometre Murovdag Tunnel has become an important example of engineering achievement in construction carried out under challenging mountainous conditions. The international airports in Fuzuli, Zangilan and Lachin have been commissioned. Railway construction is ongoing. The Horadiz–Aghband railway line, as an important component of the Zangezur Corridor, is of strategic significance for expanding Azerbaijan’s international transport and logistics links. 

Energy and water supplies are also being developed to support new settlements and functioning of production facilities. One new reservoir has been built in the region and five reservoirs have been restored. Thirteen substations and 38 hydropower plants, with a total capacity of 307 megawatts, have been commissioned. Developing Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur as a “green energy zone” is one of the key priorities in building this infrastructure. 

The development of infrastructure is accompanied by the provision of modern social services in settlements. Forty educational institutions and 20 healthcare facilities have begun operating in the region, as has Garabagh University in Khankendi. The scope of government, banking, postal and telecommunications services is also expanding. Administrative centres built and commissioned in Lachin, Zangilan, Fuzuli and Aghdam enable social protection, employment and other services to be provided to residents promptly in one location. 

Infrastructure development is complemented by the restoration of the historical and cultural portrait of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur. The restoration of historical, cultural and religious monuments destroyed or damaged during the occupation, together with the creation of modern tourism infrastructure, helps preserve the region’s rich heritage, revive its cultural and spiritual life, and unlock its tourism potential. 

The revival of the region also includes addressing the environmental consequences of the occupation. During the occupation, 54,300 hectares of forest were destroyed, and soil and water resources were polluted. To date, 600 hectares of forest land have been restored. The restoration of forests and aquatic ecosystems, as well as the application of construction solutions resilient to the effects of climate change, is of particular importance for the region’s long-term development. 

The main objective of the second phase of the State Programme on the Great Return is to further expand private investment, sustainable employment and export-oriented production by building on the opportunities already created, and to strengthen the position of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur as a new centre of growth in the national economy. The advanced urban-planning and engineering solutions being implemented in the region are generating expertise that can be applied not only in other parts of Azerbaijan, but also internationally. 

In this regard, the successful hosting of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku in 2026, organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, helped present our country’s achievements in urban development to the international community and strengthen Azerbaijan’s position in global dialogue. 

The “Rebuild Garabagh” and “BakuBuild” exhibitions, held as part of Caspian Construction Week, provide broad opportunities to share this experience, showcase new technologies and establish business partnerships. I am confident that these partnerships will translate into concrete projects and make an important contribution to the Great Return and the region’s long-term development. 

I wish the exhibition every success and each of you further achievements in your work. 

Baku, 14 October 2026 

On behalf of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition – “BakuBuild” and the 6th Azerbaijan International Restoration, Reconstruction and Development of Garabagh Exhibition – “Rebuild Garabagh.” 

The consistent economic reforms implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the creation of a favourable business environment, and the strengthening of state support for entrepreneurship make a significant contribution to the economic development of our country. One of the key priorities of this policy is the diversification of the economy, the development of the non-oil and gas sector, and the enhancement of economic activity in the private sector. 

The results for 2025 also reflect the progress achieved in these areas. During the year, Azerbaijan produced a gross domestic product (GDP) worth AZN 129.1 billion, with economic growth reaching 1.4 per cent. Growth of 2.7 per cent was recorded in the non-oil and gas sector, while the non-oil and gas industry grew by 5.5 per cent. The construction sector accounted for 6.5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. These figures once again confirm the importance of the construction sector and entrepreneurship in diversifying the economy and expanding production and infrastructure capacities. 

The restoration of the liberated territories and the implementation of the Great Return are among the strategic priorities facing our country. The large-scale reconstruction efforts underway in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur are creating new economic opportunities, contributing to the development of modern infrastructure, the reconstruction of settlements, and the return of the population to their ancestral lands. 

Construction companies, design and engineering enterprises, construction materials manufacturers, logistics companies, and other business entities play an important role in this process. The task ahead is not only to build modern buildings and roads, but also to create sustainable economic activity, new jobs, and long-term employment opportunities in these territories. To achieve this, it is particularly important to expand cooperation between the public and private sectors, promote local production, and support entrepreneurs’ investment initiatives. 

The green energy potential of Garabah and Eastern Zangazur also opens up significant opportunities for the region’s future development. The use of renewable energy sources, improvements in energy efficiency, environmentally sustainable construction solutions, and the application of modern technologies can contribute to the establishment of a new economic model in these territories. The adoption of innovative approaches in this area will also contribute to Azerbaijan’s objectives in transitioning to a green economy. 

Esteemed Guests, 

The “BakuBuild” and “Rebuild Garabagh” exhibitions are important international platforms that bring together leading companies, investors, manufacturers, and specialists in the construction and building industries. In addition to showcasing new technologies, modern construction materials, and innovative solutions, these exhibitions create favourable conditions for establishing business relations between local and foreign companies, discussing investment opportunities, and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. 

In particular, the “Rebuild Garabagh” exhibition, dedicated to the restoration of Garabagh, is of great importance in directing the private sector’s attention towards the region’s economic potential, encouraging entrepreneurs to participate in new projects, and benefiting from international experience in the reconstruction process. 

As the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan, we consider protecting the interests of entrepreneurs, strengthening public-private dialogue, and ensuring the more active participation of local enterprises in economic development processes among our key priorities. We stand ready to support the efforts of the business community in restoring Garabagh, developing the construction sector, and building a competitive economy in our country. 

I am confident that these exhibitions will contribute to the establishment of new partnerships, the emergence of successful investment initiatives, and the economic development of our country. 

I congratulate the organisers, participants, and all guests on this remarkable occasion and wish each of you productive meetings, effective cooperation, new contracts, and great achievements. 

Thank you for your attention! 

On behalf of the Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association (ASTA), I am pleased to welcome you to the 6th Azerbaijan International Restoration, Reconstruction and Development of Garabagh Exhibition (Rebuild Garabagh), the 31st Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition (BakuBuild), the 18th International Exhibition for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Water Supply, Sanitary and Swimming Pool (Aquatherm Baku), the 5th Caspian International Plastics and Polymers Industry Exhibition (Plastex Caspian), and the 14th Caspian International Road Infrastructure and Public Transport Exhibition(Road&Traffic), held as part of Caspian Construction Week 2026. 

Today, the exhibition industry is one of the important instruments for economic development, attracting investment and strengthening international cooperation. International exhibitions create opportunities for professional dialogue, the presentation of innovative solutions, the exchange of experience and the establishment of new business partnerships. 

Azerbaijan is consistently strengthening its position as a recognised hub for international exhibitions, forums and congresses. An increasing number of prestigious international events are being held in our country, demonstrating the high level of trust placed in Azerbaijan by the international community and its growing reputation as a modern platform for global professional dialogue. A clear confirmation of this was the World Urban Forum (WUF), held in Baku in 2026, which brought together representatives of states, international organizations, the business community and experts to discuss issues related to sustainable urban development. 

Caspian Construction Week holds a special place in this process. One of the largest industry events in the region, it has been bringing together leading representatives of the construction, architecture, infrastructure and engineering sectors for more than three decades. The exhibition complex contributes to the development of business relations, the introduction of modern technologies, the exchange of best practices and the implementation of joint projects. 

Within the framework of Caspian Construction Week, the Rebuild Garabagh exhibition holds particular significance, reflecting the large-scale transformations taking place in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. Today, it serves not only as a platform for showcasing achievements in the restoration and development of Garabagh, but also as an effective instrument for attracting international businesses, investment and innovative solutions to the implementation of strategically important projects. 

The Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association will continue to support the development of the country’s exhibition industry, strengthen international cooperation and promote Azerbaijan as a prestigious venue for hosting world-class events. 

I wish all participants and guests productive work, successful negotiations, new professional contacts, mutually beneficial cooperation and the successful implementation of promising projects.