Saida Mirziyoyeva: “I am a Servant. We Have Only Just Begun Large-Scale Reforms”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, gave her first extensive interview to the Alter Ego project, in which she spoke in detail about her role within the system of power, President Shavkat Mirziyoyeva’s management style, decision-making mechanisms, and the key priorities of ongoing reforms.

Reflecting on her sense of purpose, Saida Mirziyoyeva described herself first and foremost as a servant, emphasizing that she serves both her father and the state, viewing her work as a form of responsibility and duty. She noted that it was the president who instilled in her a sense of hierarchy, accountability, and the ability to make decisions—foundations that underpin her work within the state administration.

She highlighted that she has worked alongside the president daily for nine years, participating in the discussion of decisions and overseeing their implementation. According to her, this period became a school of managerial maturity, teaching her patience and strategic thinking.

Mirziyoyeva emphasized that the president possesses a rare quality—the ability to cultivate people, to listen without suppressing initiative, and to create conditions for professional growth.

Responding to questions about her independence in decision-making, the head of the Presidential Administration noted that key issues are always discussed with the president, who, at the same time, respects personal initiative and grants freedom in task execution. She stressed that the president has an in-depth understanding of the governance system, having progressed from a district hokim to prime minister, which enables him to combine strict goals with flexible methods.

Saida Mirziyoyeva elaborated on the functions of the Presidential Administration, describing it as a strategic center that shapes development priorities, while operational work is carried out by the executive branch. Behind public decisions and presidential decrees, she said, lies extensive analytical work, expert participation, and constant monitoring of implementation.

Among the Administration’s key priorities, she cited water resources, education, healthcare, business development, and the judicial system. Special attention is given to environmental issues, which she said should become part of the everyday culture of citizens and businesses. She noted that sustainable results are only possible through changes in habits and a systematic approach, rather than through one-off measures.

Regarding the pace of reforms, Saida Mirziyoyeva stated that the country is only at the beginning of large-scale transformations and that it is premature to speak of any “plateau.” She noted that Uzbekistan faces objective limitations—financial, infrastructural, and geographic—but reforms are being implemented gradually, taking into account the state’s real capacities.

Commenting on the president’s working style, she stressed that results cannot be achieved through rigidity. The success of reforms, she said, is based on flexibility, patience, and wisdom. The president knows how to wait, yet he sets high goals and strictly monitors their achievement.

Saida Mirziyoyeva also spoke about resistance to reforms and “palace intrigues,” calling them an inevitable part of any system of power. In such conditions, she said, character and the ability to see opportunities for system improvement in problems are particularly important.

Answering a question about her personal motivation, the head of the Presidential Administration said that her main goal is to help her father realize his vision for the country’s development. She added that the president’s dream is to improve the life of every citizen, and this defines the work of the entire Administration team.