Major reshuffle in the Presidential Administration

Just as each chess piece has a specific role, so too in public administration, every position carries a distinct responsibility. When each official conscientiously fulfills their duties, the entire governance system operates smoothly and effectively. When every link in the system functions properly, it ensures societal progress, public well-being, and a strong state.

On July 14, significant appointments were made within the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan. Some officials were removed from their positions and reappointed to new ones, while others retained their previous roles. In essence, a major reshuffle took place. Here is a breakdown of the recent changes.

Last month, by presidential decree, structural changes were introduced to the Presidential Administration. Notably, the position of Head of the Presidential Administration—which had been abolished in August 2023—was reinstated, and Saida Mirziyoyeva, the President's eldest daughter, was appointed to this role.

According to the decree titled “On Measures to Increase Efficiency, Proactivity and Effectiveness in the Public Administration System”, five key priority areas have been identified for reform: education, business, the judiciary, healthcare, and water resources. To effectively implement changes in these areas, five new deputy head positions have been created within the Presidential Administration. Additionally, new roles were introduced for advisors to the President on strategic development and foreign policy.

Departments have also been established focusing on financial technologies, digitalization and artificial intelligence, the development of the creative economy and tourism, public safety and rule of law, event organization, preparation of analytical materials for regional visits and meetings, as well as strategic communications.

Furthermore, the Information and Mass Communications Agency (AOKA) under the Presidential Administration—established on February 2, 2019—is being dissolved. In its place, the National Content Development Center will be created. AOKA was previously led by Komil Allamjonov (Feb 2019–Jan 2020) and has most recently been headed by Asadjon Khojayev since July 2020.

The decree also outlines steps to increase the accountability of state agencies to the public. The role of press secretaries will be enhanced, and a new system for public and media engagement will be introduced. In some areas, presidential representatives will now be appointed. From now on, every regulatory legal act and policy project will be developed based on research from scientific and analytical institutions operating under the Presidential Administration, with input from local and international experts.

Key initiatives will be executed through dedicated project offices. A "compliance" system will be implemented to ensure transparency, enhance executive discipline, and prevent corruption. The independence of ministries and departments in decision-making will also be expanded.

As mentioned earlier, five new deputy head positions were created. Here are the appointments:

• Hilola Umarova, who has served as Minister of Preschool and School Education since 2022, was relieved of her post and appointed Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Education Reform.
• Temur Butunboyev, formerly First Deputy Minister of Water Resources, became Deputy Head for Water System Reform, working under Saida Mirziyoyeva.
• Sherzod Ozodzoda, previously Head of the Department for the Development of Key Economic and Entrepreneurial Initiatives, was appointed Deputy Head for Entrepreneurship Projects.
• Nodira Khakimova was appointed Deputy Head for Judicial Reform.
• Tamila Aliyeva became Deputy Head for Healthcare Reform.

In addition, Dilnoza Ziyomuhammedova was appointed Head of the Secretariat of the Head of the Presidential Administration. She previously served as Head of the Secretariat for the Assistant to the President.

The list of appointments does not end here. One notable figure included in the reshuffle was Sardor Umurzakov, who has now been appointed as the President's Advisor on Strategic Development. Previously, he served as Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade from January 28, 2019, and was appointed Head of the Presidential Administration on July 16, 2022. After the position was abolished in August 2023, he became the President’s Advisor on Special Assignments—a post he held until this latest appointment.

Abdulaziz Kamilov, who led Uzbekistan’s foreign policy for a decade, has now been appointed as the President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy. In light of this new role, he was relieved of his duties as Special Representative of the President for Foreign Policy Issues, a position he had held since 2022.

In addition to Kamilov and Umurzakov, four more individuals were appointed as Presidential Advisors:

• Gafurjon Mirzayev became the Advisor on Personnel Policy. He was relieved of his previous role as Advisor to the President on Personnel Policy and Director of the Civil Service Development Agency under the President.
• Ravshan Gulomov was appointed as Advisor on Economic Policy, transitioning from his prior role as Advisor on Economic Development.
• Mansurbek Olloyorov was reappointed as Advisor on Social Protection and retained his position as Director of the National Agency for Social Protection.
• Ruslanbek Davletov, former Minister of Justice, was reassigned from his role as Advisor on Socio-Political, Religious-Educational, and Youth Issues (a post he held since 2024) to Advisor on Representative Bodies, Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organizations, Religion, and Youth Issues.

Other notable changes include:

• Sherzod Asadov, the Presidential Press Secretary, was appointed Head of the Communications Department in the Presidential Administration, while also retaining his role as the President's Press Secretary.
• Zelimkhon Haydarov, 80, a long-time associate of the first President Islam Karimov and former Head of the Administration’s Affairs Department, was removed from his recent post as Head of the Finance and Economic Department.
• Gayane Umerova, formerly Deputy Head of the Social Development Department, was appointed Head of the Department for the Creative Economy and Tourism.
• Aziz Magrupov, who had served as Presidential Advisor on Foreign Investment for just one month, was dismissed and reassigned as the President’s Representative on Foreign Investment.
• Alisher Sultanov, former Minister of Energy and more recently the President’s Advisor on Energy Security, was removed from that post and appointed as the President’s Representative on Energy Security.
• Odil Abdurakhmonov, previously Head of the Social Development Department, was reassigned as the President’s Representative on Sports.
• Erkin Yuldoshev, former Tashkent City Prosecutor, was appointed Head of the Compliance Service in the Presidential Administration.

Despite the widespread reshuffling, six senior officials retained their current positions:

• Shukhrat Ganiyev, former Governor of Fergana region and now Presidential Advisor on Agrarian Development;
• Tursinkhon Khudayberganov, 74, former Minister of Emergency Situations and now Presidential Advisor on the Sustainable Development of the Aral Sea Region;
• Viktor Mahmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President since September 21, 2013;
• Alisherbek Paygamov, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Presidential Administration;
• Ulugbek Kurbanov, Head of the Presidential Protocol;
• Khayriddin Sultanov, the President's chief speechwriter.