Rustam Rakhimov, Head of the Inspection for Safety Supervision of Water Management Complex Facilities and Water Use at the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, held a discussion dedicated to the rational use and conservation of water resources.
The conservation and rational use of water resources are crucial not only for agriculture but also for ensuring food security, economic stability, and the ecological balance of the country. In the context of climate change, water scarcity, and growing demand, the value of every drop of water increases.
Currently, the entire world faces serious challenges related to water resources. Climate change leads to increased drought periods, reduced water reserves, and growing pressure on water resources. Furthermore, population growth, agricultural expansion, and industry further increase water demand.
A large part of Uzbekistan's water resources comes from transboundary sources, so every cubic meter of water has strategic importance. Rational and efficient water use today is one of the most important conditions for ensuring food security, ecological sustainability, and the interests of future generations. Therefore, every water consumer must use it in accordance with established norms and limits, conserving every drop.
Rakhimov emphasized the principle: 'Any case of discharging water into sewage is an emergency.' He noted that although water discharged into sewage is sometimes considered a routine technological phenomenon, it is actually a serious problem in the water resource management system. Every cubic meter of water discharged into sewage is water that did not reach cultivated fields in other regions.
This situation leads to violations of water distribution plans, excessive operation of pumping stations, and increased electricity consumption. The efficiency of water delivered using state funds decreases, and in conditions of water scarcity, the legal rights of other water users are restricted. Moreover, excess water negatively affects land reclamation conditions, increasing the risk of secondary salinization. Therefore, every case of water discharge into sewage must be assessed not as a minor deficiency, but as an emergency. This principle should become a daily rule for every water user.
The main task of the inspection is to ensure the rational use of water resources, prevent water losses, monitor the safe operation of water management complex facilities, and ensure strict compliance with legislative requirements in this area. Systemic work was carried out in the first half of 2026. 261 inspection tours were conducted to assess the technical condition of vital hydraulic structures, and water users were issued instructions to eliminate 1139 deficiencies.
In addition, 3322 checks were conducted regarding compliance with regulatory legal acts on water use, revealing 9552 deficiencies. To reduce the risk of offenses, as well as to eliminate the causes and conditions of their occurrence, 1048 measures were taken. To improve the legal culture of water users and clarify legislative requirements, 2127 preventive events were organized. During these events, practical explanations and assistance were provided on eliminating possible causes of water loss.
Thanks to the control and prevention work carried out, water losses amounting to 1.4 billion cubic meters were prevented. Control over the effective use of water-saving technologies implemented with subsidies from the state budget was also strengthened across an area of 153 thousand hectares. As a result, irrigation was organized on 10,348 hectares using existing or core parts of water-saving technologies.
Work continues in the water resource accounting sector: accounting and reporting on water have been ensured at 2,671 water intake points. Additionally, as a result of inspections, 491 cases of damage to water bodies, 418 cases of illegal water abstraction, and 210 cases of water discharge into collector-drainage networks were prevented.
The main goal is not punishment, but preventing water losses, fostering a sense of responsibility in every water user, and increasing the culture of efficient water use. During the growing season, when water demand peaks, it is critically important to strictly account for the water transmitted through all sources, trunk lines, inter-farm canals, and internal irrigation networks. Constant monitoring must be established using measuring instruments and fair water distribution must be ensured in accordance with established limits.
It is also important to reduce filtration and technological losses in canals, maintain hydraulic structures in good condition, and use them according to established rules. This not only saves water but also ensures the stable operation of the entire water supply system. Firstly, every water user must strictly adhere to allocated water limits. Agricultural work must be organized in accordance with agrotechnical requirements and scientifically based irrigation regimes. An important modern requirement is the improvement of the system for accounting and monitoring every cubic meter of water.
It is also important to reduce losses in canals and ditches, use hydraulic structures according to technical operation rules, and widely implement water-saving technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. Most importantly, we must treat any form of illegal water use and waste without leniency. Water is our national wealth, and its conservation is our civic duty.
Water saving brings economic, social, and ecological benefits simultaneously. Saving millions of cubic meters of water creates the possibility of reliably supplying more extensive areas with water, which contributes to increasing crop yields and improving water productivity. Furthermore, electricity consumption at pumping stations decreases, state expenditures are reduced, the reclamation condition of lands improves, and ecological sustainability is strengthened. Most importantly, the rational use of water resources lays a solid foundation for ensuring the country's food security and the sustainable development of economic sectors.
In conclusion, Rakhimov appealed to all farmers, heads of collective farms, clusters, water user associations, specialists of water management organizations, and all citizens to rationally use water. He stressed that if each of us saves water, uses it according to accounting, and does not allow waste, we will make a worthy contribution to ensuring our country's water security. As mentioned earlier, the principle 'Any case of discharging water into sewage is an emergency' must become a fundamental rule in the daily activities of every water user, because water conservation is preserving the future.
The Asian Boxing Championship is taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, across two age categories. The tournament has reached a tense stage, with quarterfinal matches scheduled for the U19 category today.
Seven athletes from the national team of Uzbekistan will step into the ring in various weight classes. They will compete against representatives from South Korea, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Singapore.
Today's fighters include: in the 50 kg weight class — Utkirbek Norqosimov versus Junsy Choi (South Korea); in the 55 kg weight class — Elyor Rustamov versus Pangeran Februzio (Indonesia); in the 60 kg weight class — Muhammadrizo Ukimov versus Umar Orusbaev (Kyrgyzstan); in the 70 kg weight class — Saidkhoja Sa'dillakhjoev versus Muhammad Mamadaliyev (Tajikistan); in the 75 kg weight class — Sukhrob Rahmatullaev versus Hamza Maksatuli (Kazakhstan); in the 80 kg weight class — Abrorbek Sharipov versus Benjamin Lee (Singapore); and in the 85 kg weight class — Sardorbek Bahromkhojaev versus Sunghoon Lim (South Korea).
It should be noted that quarterfinals among boxers under 23 years old took place the day before. Eight of our boxers participated in this match, and all of them managed to advance to the semifinals.
Another 'Government Hour' session was held in the Chamber of the Higher Majlis of the Legislature. During this meeting, the topic of measures taken regarding environmental protection, land and water resource conservation when using the Earth's crust, as well as compliance with safety requirements in the mining industry, was discussed.
On the issue included in the agenda, the Minister of Mining and Geology Bobur Islomov answered the deputies' questions. He emphasized that in recent years, systematic work has been carried out in the country on the rational use of the Earth's crust and mineral resources, preventing pollution of the environment and land during extraction, as well as on the reclamation of damaged lands and ensuring industrial safety in mining operations.
In particular, special attention is paid to the introduction of low-waste technologies and digitalization in extraction processes. Three-dimensional models of ores are being created, and precise and efficient mining operations are organized through 'smart' management systems. Products and waste obtained during extraction are processed and used as building materials.
Important steps are also being taken to digitize the sector, implement artificial intelligence technologies, and combat corruption factors. The 'Geomonitoring' information system has been introduced, which catalogs data on more than two thousand mineral deposit sites.
Internal supervisory structures have been created in the ministry and systemic organizations to combat corruption. Practical work is underway to prevent conflicts of interest, ensure transparency of procurement procedures, study appeals through communication channels, conduct service inspections, and implement digital control mechanisms.
According to the minister, 2085 hectares of damaged land were reclaimed in 2025. In the first half of 2026, reclamation work was carried out over an area of 340.8 hectares, and by the end of the year, it is planned to reach a figure of 1000 hectares.
To ensure transparency in the process of obtaining permits and creating equal opportunities for entrepreneurs, digitization efforts are being expanded. Electronic forms for issuing permits for gold prospectors and ore prospectors have been introduced through the 'E-Auction' and 'License' information systems. The system for registering water meters has been fully implemented based on the 'single window' principle, and 2663 water meters have been registered.
Nevertheless, despite the measures taken to regulate the use of underground water resources and drilling wells, 698 cases of illegal well drilling and groundwater use were identified in 2025.
During the discussion, deputies paid special attention to issues of ensuring environmental safety when using the Earth's crust, accelerating the reclamation of damaged lands, rational use of groundwater, preventing illegal well drilling, as well as strengthening industrial safety at mining and oil and gas industry facilities.
Deputies put forward a number of proposals concerning the acceleration of digitalization processes in the sector, reducing human error in permit issuance procedures, broader use of artificial intelligence potential, and constant identification of corruption risks and ensuring the transparency of supervisory activities.
Members of the UzLipDep faction expressed interest in what additional measures are being taken to fully digitize the licensing and permitting system, ensure transparency of work processes, and completely eliminate human error in the effective use of mineral resources using modern technologies.
Members of the Milli Tiklanish DP faction asked about the measures being taken to organize mining operations in accordance with environmental requirements, particularly regarding the improvement of blasting technology and practices, as well as strengthening safety measures.
Representatives of the Adolat SDP faction raised questions about reducing the volume of ores and waste generated in the mining industry, their processing or disposal, as well as the effectiveness of responsibility measures and ensuring the rule of law in the sector.
Members of the UzKhDP faction were interested in the measures being taken to further strengthen labor protection and industrial safety in the mining industry, prevent accidents at hazardous production facilities, improve employee qualifications, and ensure their safe working conditions.
Members of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan expressed their opinion on the need to ensure the installation of water meters on facilities for drawing underground water, strengthen groundwater monitoring in areas of declining groundwater levels, and ensure compliance with the moratorium introduced in 21 regions on well drilling and groundwater use.
The minister provided detailed explanations on all issues raised by the deputies, presenting information on the work being carried out in the sector, existing problems, and established priority tasks for their resolution. Agreement was reached on the need to ensure effective parliamentary oversight of the reforms being carried out in the field of rational use of the Earth's crust, environmental protection, preservation of land and water resources, strict compliance with safety requirements in the mining industry, as well as digitalization and prevention of corruption in the sector.
The country places special emphasis on sustainable agricultural development, ensuring food security, and producing export goods. An important task is protecting horticulture, farming, greenhouse operations, and private gardens from dangerous pests and quarantine organisms.
Preserving green zones, forming a comfortable ecological environment in cities and rural areas, and ensuring clean atmospheric air are considered relevant issues. In this area, modern approaches, scientific developments, advanced foreign experience, and digital technologies are being gradually implemented. Special attention is paid to assessing the quality of fruit and vegetable products using modern laboratory analyses.
Currently, the Phytosanitary and Plant Protection Department of Tashkent city is conducting comprehensive monitoring and control measures in all 12 districts of the capital as part of the 'Dolzarb 30 Days' campaign. During these inspections, efforts are made to combat harmful organisms that pose a serious threat to fruit orchards, such as Eastern pear, as well as pests causing significant economic damage to crops, such as squash bugs, and other harmful organisms negatively affecting the growth of cultivated plants, including Zarpechak and Sudraluvchi kara.
Specialists collect plant samples suspected of containing harmful organisms and conduct express analyses in mobile laboratories. If pests are found in quarantined products, disinfection measures are organized according to established procedures. It should be noted that the 'Dolzarb 30 Days' campaign, conducted across the republic, will run from June 8 to July 8 of this year. These actions contribute to ensuring plant phytosanitary conditions, preserving yields, protecting the interests of farmers and landholders, and increasing the export potential of the country's agricultural products.
