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

Hydropower

Uzbekistan Plans $5.8 Billion Expansion of Hydropower Sector

Uzbekistan is planning a major expansion of its hydropower sector, with 73 new projects worth $5.8 billion scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2032, officials said during a presentation to Shavkat Mirziyoyev. According to the briefing, the country aims to add 3.6 gigawatts of new generating capacity as part of efforts to diversify its energy mix. Currently, most of Uzbekistan’s electricity is produced from natural gas and coal, while hydropower accounts for only about 10-12%. Officials emphasized that Uzbekistan’s extensive water network, more than 150,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and streams, represents a largely untapped energy resource. Expanding hydropower is seen as key to improving energy stability, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and making more efficient use of water. The sector has already seen significant growth in recent years. The number of hydroelectric power plants has increased from 36 in 2017 to 100 in 2025, while installed capacity has risen from 1.6 gigawatts to 2.4 gigawatts. Among the projects discussed, the Upper Pskem hydropower plant in the Bostanlyk district stands out. With an investment of $365 million, it is expected to generate 160 megawatts of electricity and supply power to around 161,000 households. In the Fergana region, a 15-megawatt plant is planned in the Sokh district, which is expected to cover 71% of local electricity demand. Authorities also reviewed the potential for constructing 42 small hydropower plants in the Upper Tupalang area, which could add 541 megawatts of capacity and generate up to 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours annually. In addition, nearly 3,000 small and micro hydropower plants are planned, with a combined capacity of 164 megawatts. This year alone, 13 hydropower plants and one wind power facility are expected to come online, with a total capacity of 114 megawatts and annual generation of 537 million kilowatt-hours. A 20-megawatt wind project is also under construction in Bostanlyk with $28 million in grant funding. Officials said Uzbekistan is also considering the construction of three pumped-storage hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, which would help balance electricity supply and demand. The presentation highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the sector through digital technologies. More than 3,500 monitoring devices have already been installed to track water levels, weather conditions, and infrastructure performance in real time. The plans build on earlier developments in the sector. Last year, Uzbekistan launched the first stage of the Naryn hydropower cascade, a project valued at over $428 million. The initial plant, built using domestic materials and equipment, produces 171 million kilowatt-hours annually and supplies electricity to around 430,000 households.

6 days ago

Healthcare

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Plan Joint Hospital Project in Mazar-i-Sharif

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have agreed to build a hospital in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif under a public-private partnership, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health said. The agreement was reached during a visit by an Uzbek delegation led by Health Minister Asilbek Khudayarov to Afghanistan, where talks were held with Afghan Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal, Balkh regional governor Mohammad Yusuf Wafa, and other officials. According to the ministry, the Afghan side highlighted the need to expand cooperation in healthcare, noting that many districts in the country still lack hospitals. Officials also pointed to a rise in cancer cases in recent years and requested Uzbekistan’s support in building a medical facility in Mazar-i-Sharif, training specialists, and simplifying procedures for Afghan patients seeking treatment in Uzbekistan. Wafa expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s continued support, particularly during difficult periods such as natural disasters, and emphasized the importance of strengthening humanitarian ties between the two countries. During the visit, the Uzbek delegation also toured healthcare facilities in Balkh province, including a district clinic in Dehdadi and the Abu Ali Ibn Sina Central Hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif, where they met with medical staff and reviewed current conditions. As a result of the talks, the parties agreed to establish a joint working group to develop proposals for supporting Afghanistan’s public healthcare system. Plans were also outlined to organize reciprocal visits by Afghan medical delegations to Uzbekistan. The sides discussed launching training programs that would allow up to 100 Afghan specialists each year to improve their qualifications at Uzbekistan’s specialized medical centers. In addition, the possibility of allocating annual scholarships for up to 50 Afghan students to study at Uzbek medical universities was considered. The Uzbek side also agreed to explore simplifying the issuance of medical visas for Afghan patients and easing procedures for the supply and registration of pharmaceuticals produced in Uzbekistan, which Afghan officials said are in strong demand in the local market. A key outcome of the visit was the agreement to construct a hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif in cooperation with Arman Group. Under the arrangement, the Afghan side will invest in the project, adapt an existing building for medical use, and procure modern equipment, while Uzbekistan will provide qualified medical personnel. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that in March, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan established a joint Business Council aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties, bringing together representatives from both countries’ business communities and institutions. The new healthcare agreement reflects a broader trend toward expanding cooperation between the two neighbors.

6 days ago

Migrant Workers

Over 100 Uzbek Workers in Russia Receive Aid After Months Without Pay

More than 100 Uzbek migrant workers in Russia have received assistance after going without wages and adequate food for four months, according to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency. The agency said the workers were jointly owed nearly 24 million rubles (about $324,000) and, in some cases, had fallen into irregular legal status. The situation began to improve after the workers contacted the agency for assistance. Following the appeals, the agency’s representative office in Russia worked with legal counsel, while Uzbekistan’s Consulate General sent an official diplomatic note to the relevant authorities. As a result, Russian law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case against the employers under Article 145.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers non-payment of wages. According to the agency, some progress has already been made. A total of 105 workers have received 9.4 million rubles (around $127,000) in unpaid wages. The remaining debt, estimated at 23.9 million rubles, is expected to be paid by May 15. The agency also said that food supplies for the workers have been restored. Those who had lost legal status were assisted in returning to Uzbekistan, and financial support measures have begun. The case was handled in cooperation with Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions in Russia and Russian law enforcement authorities. Officials said the joint efforts helped address both the financial claims and the humanitarian situation faced by the workers.

7 days ago

Gulnara Karimova

Swiss Court Suspends Karimova Case as Asset Questions Remain

A Swiss court has suspended part of a money laundering case involving Gulnara Karimova after she failed to appear at trial. Judges at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona said they had taken all possible steps to secure Karimova’s participation in the proceedings. This included a visit to Uzbekistan in August 2024, when court representatives met with the country’s Supreme Court to discuss options for her involvement. However, those efforts did not succeed, and in January 2026, Uzbekistan’s authorities formally declined the request. As a result, the court ruled that proceedings against Karimova could not continue in her absence. The same decision was applied to her co-defendant, described by prosecutors as a close associate. In this case, judges identified a separate legal obstacle preventing the trial from moving forward. Karimova’s lawyer, Grégoire Mangeat, described the dismissal more strongly, telling Reuters that the decision “amounts to an acquittal under Swiss law.” The court’s reasoning, however, was procedural: judges found a lasting obstacle to continuing the case because Karimova cannot attend, and no judgment is likely before the statute of limitations expires. According to the court, the co-defendant—an Uzbek national believed to be living in exile in Russia—cannot travel to Switzerland due to outstanding international arrest warrants. While it would theoretically be possible for him to travel from Russia, the absence of direct flights between the two countries since 2022 and the risk of detention in a third country make his participation unlikely. Judges also noted that the statute of limitations for the charges against him is set to expire in June 2027, making it effectively impossible for him to attend court before that deadline. This was described as a “permanent obstacle” to continuing proceedings against him. Despite these developments, the overall case remains open. The court confirmed that the main proceedings will continue against a former asset manager at Lombard Odier, as well as against the bank itself. Judges said there were no barriers to continuing this part of the trial and moved forward with preliminary hearings. The case, which has been under investigation for more than a decade, centers on allegations of money laundering and financial misconduct linked to a broader corruption network. While parts of the proceedings have now been suspended, key questions remain unresolved. Among them is the issue of assets allegedly connected to Karimova. The court stated that the possible confiscation of these funds will still be examined as part of the ongoing trial. The unresolved asset question is tied to a fall that has stretched across more than a decade. Once a high-profile public figure, Karimova built a vast business empire, pursued a career in fashion, and even dabbled in pop music under the name “Googoosha.” A former UN envoy and self-styled “Princess of Uzbekistan,” Karimova projected an image of glamour and influence that later collapsed under the weight of corruption cases in Uzbekistan and abroad. A leaked U.S. diplomatic cable offered a much darker portrait, describing her as “a robber baron” and “the single most...

7 days ago

Film Industry

Uzbekistan Launches Global Cinema Weekend to Attract Film Industry

Uzbekistan is taking a new step to position itself as an international filming destination with the launch of Global Cinema Weekend, an industry platform designed to connect cinema, tourism, and the creative economy. The initiative was formalized through a memorandum signed between the National PR-Center and Global Tech Weekend. The platform will be held as part of Global Tech Weekend Tashkent on May 15-17. Organizers say the new platform aims to bring together international film professionals, government representatives, and local businesses. The goal is to foster partnerships and promote Uzbekistan as a competitive destination for global film production. Global Cinema Weekend will take place across Tashkent as part of Global Tech Weekend, described as the region’s largest decentralized innovation forum. The event is expected to attract participants from across the global creative industry, including producers, directors, and investors. A key focus of the initiative is developing film-induced tourism, a model in which films and television productions drive interest in filming locations and increase visitor numbers. Organizers say this approach aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader tourism strategy and could help boost international visibility. The memorandum outlines plans for long-term cooperation, including the annual organization of similar events with participation from leading global film industry figures, including representatives from Hollywood. Officials say this could open new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and improvements in production standards. The initiative is also supported by government incentives designed to attract foreign production companies, including cash rebate programs. These measures are intended to make Uzbekistan more competitive as a filming location. “Signing this memorandum marks an important step in positioning Uzbekistan as an open and competitive destination for international film production,” said Shakhboz Saidkhanov, Director of the National PR-Center. “We are building an ecosystem where the film industry contributes to tourism growth, investment attraction, and the country’s global image.” Nodo Ivanidze, co-founder of Global Tech Weekend, said Uzbekistan already offers strong potential for filmmakers. “Uzbekistan has everything a filmmaker needs: ancient cities, dramatic landscapes, and a government that is actively building the infrastructure to welcome international productions,” he said. “What has been missing is a dedicated industry platform that connects that potential directly to global decision-makers.” He added that Global Cinema Weekend is intended to become a long-term initiative rather than a one-time event. “This memorandum is not a one-time activation. It is the beginning of a long-term effort to make Uzbekistan a permanent fixture on the map of global film production,” Ivanidze said. Global Tech Weekend, launched in 2025, is expanding its activities across the Eurasia region, with events planned in Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Baku in 2026.

1 week ago