Uzbekistan restructures media oversight and administration system

The Information and Mass Communications Agency (IMCA) under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan has been dissolved. Its functions in the field of control and monitoring in the information sector have been transferred to the Inspectorate for Informatization and Telecommunications. These changes were outlined in the presidential decree "On measures to increase efficiency, proactivity and effectiveness in the public administration system," signed on July 14.

According to the decree:

 The Center for Mass Communications has been moved under the direct control of the Presidential Administration.
 The Agency for the Control of Narcotics and Firearms has been established on the basis of the former National Center for Drug Control.
 A new Center for the Preparation of Content for Mass Media has been created using the structure of the Media Center of the Presidential Press Service.
 The Agency for Management Efficiency replaces the former Agency for the Development of the Civil Service.
 The Fund for the Development of Culture and Arts, previously under the Cabinet of Ministers, has been subordinated to the Administration.

Additionally, by September 1, 2025, the government is expected to develop draft legal documents aimed at:z

 Increasing the efficiency of both national and local executive bodies.
 Eliminating bureaucratic barriers and duplicative control mechanisms.
 Ensuring greater transparency and openness in government decision-making.
 Expanding the administrative and financial powers of local governments, particularly in areas related to regional development, employment, and income growth.

For reference, IMCA was initially established by presidential decree on February 2, 2019, to replace the Press and Information Agency of Uzbekistan. Komil Allamjonov served as its first director from February 4, 2019, until January 29, 2020. Since July 2020, the agency had been headed by Asadjon Khojayev. IMCA was officially abolished by the decree signed on July 14, 2025.

It is worth noting that the same decree also aimed to strengthen the independence of ministries and agencies in Uzbekistan, reduce bureaucracy, and enable more proactive governance.