Our People > Sadokat Jalolova

Sadokat Jalolova

Journalist

Jalolova has worked as a reporter for some time in local newspapers and websites in Uzbekistan, and has enriched her knowledge in the field of journalism through courses at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Amsterdam on the Coursera platform.

Articles

Uranium Supply

Kazatomprom Signs First Uranium Supply Deal with Switzerland

Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom has signed its first contract to supply natural uranium to Switzerland. The agreement was made with Axpo Power AG and Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG (KKL AG), with the uranium designated for use at the Beznau and Leibstadt nuclear power plants. The contract was signed during a visit by Kazatomprom’s delegation to Axpo Power AG’s headquarters in Switzerland. Vladislav Baiguzhin, Chief Commercial Officer of Kazatomprom, described the deal as a significant milestone for the company, expanding its market reach and reinforcing its position as a reliable uranium supplier. He also emphasized that the agreement aligns with Kazatomprom’s strategy to diversify sales channels while supporting global energy security and decarbonization efforts. Dr. Bruno Zimmermann, Head of Nuclear Fuel at Axpo Power AG, underscored the strategic importance of the partnership. He highlighted that nuclear energy plays a crucial role in Switzerland’s low-carbon energy goals and that securing stable fuel supplies remains a top priority. By adding Kazatomprom as a supplier, Axpo and KKL AG are strengthening their ability to ensure a reliable energy supply. Meanwhile, The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Russia’s Uranium One Group, a subsidiary of Rosatom, has withdrawn from its uranium projects in Kazakhstan. This development comes as Kazakhstan is selecting partners to help build its first nuclear power plant. Kazatomprom announced that Uranium One sold its 49.979% share in the Zarechnoye joint venture to SNURDC Astana Mining Company Limited, a firm linked to China’s State Nuclear Uranium Resources Development Co., Ltd. Kazatomprom continues to hold its own 49.979% stake in the project.

1 year ago

Economic Cooperation

Uzbekistan and Kuwait Strengthen Ties with Landmark Agreements During President Mirziyoyev’s Visit

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Kuwait on February 17 at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah. The two leaders met at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties. During the meeting, Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for the Emir’s warm welcome and extended congratulations to the people of Kuwait on their upcoming national holidays. He also praised Kuwait’s progress under its Vision 2035 program, noting that its objectives align with Uzbekistan’s long-term development plans. Following their discussions, the leaders adopted a joint statement on enhancing Uzbek-Kuwaiti cooperation. Several agreements were signed, including: Agreement on cooperation in industry Protocol to the Agreement on Air Services Agreement on labor cooperation Agreement on the development of “smart” cities Agreement on cooperation in arts and culture Agreement on healthcare collaboration Tourism cooperation program for 2025-2027 Cooperation agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development These agreements mark a new phase in Uzbekistan-Kuwait relations, fostering closer collaboration in key economic and social sectors.

1 year ago

Migrants

U.S. Deports 119 Migrants, Including Uzbeks, to Panama Under Agreement

The United States has deported 119 migrants of various nationalities to Panama as part of a bilateral agreement, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino announced on Thursday. According to Reuters, a U.S. Air Force flight carrying deportees from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam arrived in Panama on Wednesday. Two additional flights are expected soon, bringing the total number of deported individuals to 360. The migrants will stay at a shelter near the Darién jungle, a critical migration route between Central and South America, before being sent to their home countries. “Through a cooperation program with the U.S. government, a flight arrived yesterday with 119 people of various nationalities,” President Mulino said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not commented on the deportations. Earlier this month, after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Mulino reaffirmed that Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal is non-negotiable. However, he also indicated that Panama could deport more migrants as part of ongoing cooperation with the U.S. During the same meeting, Panama’s security officials discussed the possibility of expanding an existing July 2024 agreement, which currently allows the U.S. to deport Venezuelan, Colombian, and Ecuadorian migrants through a Panamanian airstrip at U.S. expense. Panama’s Deputy Minister for Security, Luis Icaza, reported that the number of migrants crossing the Darién jungle dropped by 90% in January compared to the same period last year. The U.S. deportation policy could be part of a broader strategy to speed up removals of migrants whose home countries are reluctant to accept them. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his hardline stance on illegal immigration while stating that he has no objections to legal immigration. He also defended his plan to end birthright citizenship as part of his broader immigration policy.

1 year ago

Women entrepreneurs

An Uzbek Woman Suffers Terribly, Then Starts Over

The lakes, mountains and brisk air of Uzbekistan’s Bustanlik district lie just a few dozen kilometers from the urban sprawl of Tashkent, and tourists as well as conference delegates retreat there for a break or to learn and exchange ideas. Sometimes, people attending a hotel conference barely get outside to absorb the beauty of the surrounding national parks. That’s what happened to me, a reporter for The Times of Central Asia. But then, I found some inspiration within the hotel’s bland walls. I was attending a training course on data journalism for a few days in Bustanlik. During dinner, hotel employees mentioned that Dilorom Yuldasheva, an Uzbek woman internationally acclaimed for her resolve and accomplishment after a catastrophic injury, was also staying there after appearing at an event in Tashkent. Soon after, around 50-60 people in the hotel restaurant applauded as a bouquet was handed to Yuldasheva. It seemed that the hotel administration had arranged the small celebration because most guests weren’t aware that she was there. I approached her table, introducing myself and asking if she’d be willing to talk. She smiled and agreed. Yuldasheva wore light makeup and spoke softly. At the start of our conversation, I mentioned that I already knew her from media coverage. Then I asked if she could share something she had never told anyone before. “There’s nothing left untold,” she said. “But if you’d like, I can tell you the same stories again, just for you.” ----- The BBC released a list of 100 influential and inspiring women for 2024, highlighting women who “have had to dig deep and find new levels of resilience” while facing violence and humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan, as well as polarization surrounding a record number of international elections, and the growing challenges of climate change. On the list are stranded astronaut Sunita Williams, rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot, actress Sharon Stone, Olympic athletes Rebeca Andrade and Allyson Felix, singer Raye, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, visual artist Tracey Emin, climate campaigner Adenike Oladosu and writer Cristina Rivera Garza. Also on that list is Yuldasheva, a 41-year-old seamstress and entrepreneur from Denov, in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region. The village where she lives is mainly engaged in livestock raising, crop farming, and gardening. In 2021, while helping with the grain harvest, she lost both her legs in an accident. That day, she had been wearing a long robe to protect herself from the sun, a common style of dress among rural women, many of whom consider it shameful for them to wear trousers. As she worked near a combine harvester, the fabric got caught in the machine’s moving parts, pulling her in. She struggled frantically, and in vain, to escape. “I didn’t even have time to scream, and when I opened my eyes, I was sitting on the combine harvester, but this didn’t last long. The combine harvester blade spun and threw me several meters away,” she said. In August 2022, Yuldasheva was fitted with prosthetic legs...

1 year ago

Sport

Uzbekistan Doubles Sports Budget to $230 Million, Launches Presidential Olympics

Uzbekistan has announced the launch of the Presidential Olympics, a new national sports competition, following a recent video conference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Competitions in Olympic sports, titled "Olympic Peaks of New Uzbekistan," will be held twice a year across the country. Winners at the district and regional levels will receive awards from local authorities, while regional champions will advance to the Presidential Olympics, which will take place annually at the Olympic Village from December 10-20. Top athletes will be awarded valuable prizes, including houses and cars. Additionally, first and second-place winners will gain admission to the Republican Olympic and Paralympic Center, where they will receive scholarships for their first two years of study. The initiative aims to enhance Uzbekistan’s international sports standing and help the country secure a top-ten finish at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. During the meeting, it was noted that Uzbekistan’s sports budget has doubled over the past four years, rising from UZS 1.5 trillion ($115.38 million) to UZS 3 trillion ($230.77 million). Additionally, coaches’ salaries have doubled; significant investments have been made in sports infrastructure; 101 new sports facilities have been built; and 67 existing facilities have been reconstructed. To further support athletes preparing for international competitions, including the Olympics, an additional UZS 300 billion ($23 million) will be allocated. President Mirziyoyev commented, “Sport is, first of all, an ambassador of peace, a source of national pride for every country.”

1 year ago