Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 14 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree aimed at enhancing efficiency, proactiveness, and results within the public administration system.

The document provides for a significant expansion of the powers of the Presidential Administration and its head, Saida Mirziyoyeva.

According to the decree, the President now personally appoints and dismisses the Head of the Administration, her deputies, assistants, advisers, presidential representatives, and the heads of structural divisions.

At the same time, the Head of the Administration is granted broad personnel and organizational powers. She can approve the staffing schedule, appoint and dismiss deputy advisers, management personnel, the head of the Chancellery, the head of the Compliance Service, and other staff who were previously appointed by the President. These employees are now entitled to the same guarantees and legal status as those appointed by presidential decree.

The Head of the Administration is also authorized to directly engage domestic and foreign experts — including scholars, researchers, and specialists — through direct contracts, with compensation in either national or foreign currency. Their work will be funded through the Presidential Administration Support Fund. Mirziyoyeva will also approve the annual budget and determine the procedures for awarding bonuses and financial assistance to staff.

Presidential advisers and heads of departments have been instructed to prepare, within ten days, lists of development projects in their areas of responsibility. They are also required to hold regular (weekly) reviews of project progress and prospects, maintain active dialogue with ministries, the business community, and regional stakeholders, and closely monitor the situation across regions and sectors.

Their responsibilities include ensuring timely implementation of government programs, investment and infrastructure projects, development of public-private partnerships, improving the business environment, promoting digitalization, raising household incomes, and enhancing the accountability of public officials. Their work will integrate digital governance tools such as artificial intelligence, data visualization, time management systems, and video conferencing.

In the coming weeks, a performance evaluation of senior management staff within the Administration will be conducted to identify effective and promising personnel. The development of a national communication strategy has also been mandated.

The decree comes into effect immediately, prior to the adoption of corresponding legislative amendments.

Previously, it was announced that a structural reform of the Presidential Administration had taken place: 284 staff positions were eliminated, and new departments were created — including those focused on public safety, rule of law, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.

Significant changes have also been made to the structure of public administration and oversight of key institutions.

The Agency for Information and Mass Communications (AIMK) has been dissolved. Its functions in the area of media oversight and monitoring have been transferred to the Informatization and Telecommunications Control Inspectorate (Uzkomnazorat), with the goal of enhancing coordination and regulation in the digital and media space.

The Center for Mass Communications, previously part of the Cabinet of Ministers, now reports directly to the Presidential Administration. The same applies to the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Arts.

A new Agency for Control over Narcotics and Firearms has been established on the basis of the former National Drug Control Center.

Additionally, two new institutions have been created by presidential decree: a Media Content Production Center, based on the Press Service Media Center of the Administration, and a Governance Efficiency Agency, formed from the former Civil Service Development Agency.

By September 1, 2025, draft normative legal acts must be prepared to:

– Optimize executive authority by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and overlapping functions, and increasing transparency in decision-making.

– Expand the powers of local hokimiyats (administrations), including in areas of economic, administrative, and financial autonomy, to promote comprehensive regional development, job creation, and improved living standards.