We visited Karabakh – this is what post-war Azerbaijan looks like now

Thanks to a recent press tour from Shusha to Agdam, we gained a comprehensive view of how Azerbaijan is reconstructing both its past and future. The central feature of the visit was the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum, held July 19–21, 2025, under the theme “Digital Pathways: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of AI.”

Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh Region

The Nagorno-Karabakh region remains a subject of intense debate, like all former conflict zones. After the fall of the Soviet Union and during the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, Armenian forces took control of the area, displacing an estimated 800,000 Azerbaijanis. In the 2020 war, Azerbaijan swiftly reclaimed the territory. In the nearly five years since, Azerbaijan has launched an ambitious redevelopment effort in a region long neglected and underdeveloped. Huge sums are being invested to make the area livable again—drawing a parallel to East Germany after the fall of the Iron Curtain, united in support from the broader German nation.

Rich in energy resources, Azerbaijan is now focused on this area, grappling with the colossal challenge of rebuilding a vast territory nearly from scratch—no how-to guide exists for such an undertaking. Roads, highways, and railways are needed for transportation, while basic infrastructure like electricity, water, sewage, and internet is crucial for everyday life. Hospitals, schools, and public institutions must also be built to encourage tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis to move back. Currently, 50,000 people live in the region, but that number is expected to rise sharply in the coming years as living conditions improve.

Managing Religious Heritage

Culture also plays a key role in redevelopment. Abandoned mosques have been restored over the past thirty years, and during our journey, we encountered three Christian churches—including one in Shusha that we viewed up close. Its exterior renovation is already complete, and it’s expected to open to visitors next year.

I won’t dive into who did what to whose church or mosque; war affects people on all sides, and unfortunately, some soldiers commit inhumane acts when given unchecked power. Atrocities likely occurred on both sides during these wars, and I trust that courts have held perpetrators accountable.

Overall, based on our experience, Azerbaijani authorities are paying attention to the preservation and maintenance of Christian churches—a priority not only for Christian nations like Hungary, but also for international observers and organizations focused on safeguarding cultural heritage.

Through a Rebuilt Airport to the Heart of the Caucasus

An international delegation from around the world arrived via a special flight from Baku to the newly constructed airport in Fuzuli. This facility serves as the gateway to Azerbaijani territories now undergoing reconstruction in the post-conflict phase. From there, we traveled by a brand-new highway to Shusha, where we stayed as guests of the forum—the primary venue of the event.

In the Spotlight: President Ilham Aliyev’s Press Conference

On the forum’s opening day, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted members of the international press in Xankəndi (also known as Stepanakert) during a high-profile, live-streamed press conference. The most headline-grabbing announcement was Azerbaijan’s intention to file a lawsuit against Russia over the downing of an Azerbaijani military aircraft—a statement that carried major political implications across the region. More details can be found here: “Never give up” – Aliyev sends a message to Ukraine and delivers a blow to Moscow