Rustam Kasimov, State Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on issues of cooperation with public and religious organizations, has died, Kun.uz sources confirmed the information.

He was on holiday due to health problems.

Rustam Kasimov was born in 1956 in the city of Tashkent.

Throughout his career, Kasimov worked as Deputy Minister (2001-2004) and later as Minister (2004-2008) of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education. From 2009 to 2011, he was the Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

In June 2017, he was appointed First Deputy State Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan – Head of Organizational and Personnel Service – Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President. At the end of November 2017, he became State Adviser to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Science, Education, Health and Sports. In 2018, he began working as an Adviser to the President on issues of cooperation with public and religious organizations. Since 2019, he had been heading the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.

Earlier, it was reported that Rustam Kasimov was on vacation due to a serious illness and was replaced by Shoazim Minovarov as rector of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.