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President presented with proposal to cut rescue response time to 5–7 minutes

Illustration: Tezkun / AI. Not a photograph of the event.

On October 20, proposals to modernize the emergency response system were presented to Shavkat Mirziyoyev. One of the goals is for rescuers to reach call locations within 5–7 minutes in cities and within 15–20 minutes outside them.

The president instructed to implement the "golden minute" principle. To achieve this, plans call for reorganizing 25 fire and rescue units in cities and districts with populations exceeding 250,000 people and equipping them with new hardware. In addition, it is proposed to establish the Madad national center for rescue operations in complex conditions, an aviation rescue unit, and a research center for emergency management.

In the 112 service, call monitoring will be strengthened at all stages—from receipt to execution—and data exchange between emergency services is planned to be enhanced relying on digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Rescuer technical schools intend to train divers under a dual system, while staff at tourist sites will be taught first aid and emergency response actions.

According to data announced at the presentation, out of 56 reservoirs in the country, professional rescue services exist at only four. It was proposed to set up units following the example of the Karkidon reservoir. Mandatory certification and contracts with rescue services were proposed for tourism services near bodies of water. For businesses, a twofold reduction in land and property taxes until October 1, 2029, and a 120-day deferral or installment plan for customs payments on imported GPS equipment, rescue, and protective gear were proposed.

Following the presentation, agencies were tasked with speeding up the work of rescue services and setting safety requirements for tourist sites.

What it means

Applies to entrepreneurs offering tourism services near reservoirs: they have been offered tax incentives until October 1, 2029, along with mandatory certification and contracts with rescuers. These are currently proposals, not adopted regulations.

Published 21 October 2026, 07:17 · Updated 21 October 2026, 19:19 · Russian original

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