In a sweeping administrative reform, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved a new structure for Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, aiming to enhance efficiency, eliminate redundancies, and improve the effectiveness of governance.
According to Presidential Press Secretary Sherzod Asadov, the reforms are outlined in a new decree on measures to increase efficiency, proactivity and effectiveness in the public administration system. The new structure includes the reduction of 284 staff positions within the Administration and its affiliated organizations, as part of a broader optimization effort.
New Deputy Heads Appointed to Oversee Key Sectors
A key aspect of the reform is the introduction of five deputy head positions within the Presidential Administration, each tasked with overseeing critical sectors. These include education, healthcare, judiciary, entrepreneurship, and water resources—identified as the five priority areas for government reform.
The appointments include Khilola Umarova as Deputy Head for Education Reform, Tamila Aliyeva for Healthcare Reform, Timur Butunbayev for Water Resources Reform, Nodira Khakimova for Judicial Reform, and Sherzod Ozodzoda for Entrepreneurial Projects. Each appointee previously held senior positions within relevant ministries or departments.
In addition to the deputies, the decree introduces new advisory roles to the President to ensure strategic oversight across key policy areas. Abdulaziz Kamilov has been appointed as Advisor on Foreign Policy, Gofurjon Mirzaev on Staff Issues, Ravshan Gulyamov on Economic Policy, Sardor Umurzakov on Strategic Planning, Mansurbek Olloyorov on Social Protection, and Ruslanbek Davletov on Civil Society, Religion, and Youth. These appointments reflect the administration’s aim to enhance leadership coordination and ensure cross-sectoral policy coherence.
Structural and Institutional Changes Emphasize Efficiency and Transparency
As part of the restructuring, several new departments have been established within the Administration. These include departments focused on financial technologies, digitalization and artificial intelligence, creative economy and tourism, public safety and the rule of law, communications, event organization, and preparation of analytical content for meetings and regional visits. A Compliance Service has also been introduced to oversee transparency, strengthen executive discipline, and prevent corruption within the Administration.
One significant institutional change is the dissolution of the Agency for Information and Mass Communications (AIMC), previously the central government body for public communication under the Presidential Administration. Established in 2019, AIMC coordinated the media efforts of state agencies and certified press secretaries. It is now being replaced by a newly formed National Content Production Center, in line with the Administration’s revised media and communications strategy.
The reforms also aim to enhance the independence and proactivity of government bodies at both the national and local levels. Ministries and agencies are now empowered to issue regulatory legal acts within their areas of jurisdiction without requiring central approval, streamlining decision-making and aligning local practices with international standards. A new system within the Ministry of Justice will allow for legal norms to be incorporated into agency acts during their registration process.
To reduce bureaucratic barriers and ensure transparent governance, further autonomy has been granted to regional administrations (khokimiyats) in economic, administrative, and financial matters. This move is expected to support complex territorial development, job creation, and increased local revenues. In line with this, the staff structures of the executive apparatus and other governmental bodies will be reviewed and optimized.
Strengthening Public Engagement and Accountability
Press Secretary Asadov emphasized that all new legal initiatives and administrative projects will be informed by research from scientific and analytical institutes under the Presidential Administration. The use of expert recommendations, both domestic and international, will become central to the policy development process. He also noted that important government reforms will be implemented through project-based offices.
Furthermore, the institution of press secretaries is being strengthened, and a new system for public communication and media engagement is being introduced. This stresses a broader effort to increase public accountability and ensure government transparency at all levels.
A number of senior personnel changes have also been announced across departments within the Presidential Administration. These include appointments to key leadership positions in newly established departments and compliance bodies, as well as changes to the roles of presidential representatives on issues such as energy security, foreign investment, sports, and WTO relations. Among the notable appointments are Erkin Yuldashev as Head of the Compliance Service, Azizbek Urunov as Presidential Representative to the WTO, and Alisher Sultanov as Presidential Representative on Energy Security.
Meanwhile, some senior figures remain unchanged in their current positions. These include Khayriddin Sultonov as the President’s speechwriter, Shukhrat Ganiev as Advisor on Agrarian Development, Tursinkhan Khudaybergenov on Aral Region Development, Viktor Makhmudov as Secretary of the Security Council, Alisherbek Paygamov as Head of External Relations, and Ulugbek Kurbanov as Head of the Presidential Protocol.
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