Results of the President's Visit to Nakhchivan: Support for Infrastructure Development, Education, and Green Energy

Nakhchivan has always been characterized as one of the regions under the special attention of the Azerbaijani state. The regular visits of President Ilham Aliyev to Nakhchivan also show that the development of the autonomous republic holds an important place in state policy. The events held during the head of state's visit to Nakhchivan on August 11, and the messages voiced, once again demonstrated the attention and care given to this ancient land.

The decree of the President of Azerbaijan on additional measures to accelerate the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) is a vivid example of this. Thus, the development of energy, road-transport, educational, housing-communal, and social infrastructure is envisaged.

The allocation of new funds also testifies to the consistent continuation of the state policy pursued regarding the socio-economic development of Nakhchivan. In this regard, the new financial package can be viewed as the next stage of previously adopted programs, including the state program for the socio-economic development of the NAR for 2023-2027.

One of the important directions of the allocated funds is the expansion of the use of alternative and renewable energy sources.

Thus, funds will be allocated for the continuation of the construction of a hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 15.6 MW. This project is important from the standpoint of further strengthening the energy independence of Nakhchivan, where various projects for the construction of solar and hydroelectric power stations are already being implemented. The new funds will allow accelerating work in this area. This direction also aligns with the policy of expanding the use of Azerbaijan's renewable energy potential and developing Nakhchivan as a "green energy zone."

Under the President's decree, the improvement of Nakhchivan's road-transport infrastructure also remains in focus. Thus, capital repair of inter-village, urban, and rural roads with a total length of 420 kilometers will be carried out. This project will cover 26 settlements with a population of 156.3 thousand people. The renovation of roads will contribute to improving transport links between the settlements of Nakhchivan, as well as expanding opportunities for comfortable and safe movement of the population.

Projects in the field of education in Nakhchivan are also important directions of the new financial package. The construction of a student dormitory with 1,000 places for Nakhchivan State University, as well as five new kindergartens with 640 places, is planned. These projects are important not only from the standpoint of expanding the educational infrastructure but also from the standpoint of improving the social and living conditions of students and children.

The decree will also direct significant funds toward the renewal of the housing stock in Nakhchivan. Thus, facade and full renovation of 161 residential buildings will be carried out, as well as capital repair of boiler houses. Overall, new funds in the amount of 258 million manats are directed toward the comprehensive development of not just one sector of Nakhchivan, but the energy, transport, road, educational, housing, and social infrastructure.

In this regard, the decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev is another example of the attention and care given at the state level to the development of Nakhchivan. The allocated funds will contribute to strengthening the infrastructure base of the autonomous republic, improving the living conditions of the population, expanding employment opportunities, and more effectively utilizing the economic potential of the region.

It is particularly noteworthy that this step shows that the measures taken in connection with the development of Nakhchivan are not limited to individual projects but are a continuation of a consistent and systematic state policy. The allocation