The key facts

  • On November 10, awards and membership cards were presented at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington
  • Shokhrukh Majidov received the 'Kelajak bunyodkori' medal for an award granted in June
  • American journalists Viktor Gotevbe and James Durso became members of the Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan

Ceremony at the Embassy

On November 10, an award ceremony for journalists covering the country in American media took place at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States Furkat Sidikov presented the 'Kelajak bunyodkori' medal to Kun.uz special correspondent in the United States Shokhrukh Majidov, who had been granted the state award in June.

American Authors on Uzbekistan

Among the awardees was Viktor Gotevbe, editor-in-chief of the journal Diplomatic Watch and author of a number of articles on Uzbekistan's policy, its voice in the world, and its initiatives. In June he took second place in the national 'Oltin qalam' prize; the award was presented to him on November 10 at the embassy. Gotevbe admitted that he had not expected such an honor and had not known in advance that the prize would be offered specifically to him, and he thanked the embassy for its support, including when submitting documents for the award.

Membership in the Union of Journalists

Analyst James Durso, who writes about U.S. policy, relations with Central Asia, the situation in Iran and Afghanistan, and regularly publishes materials on Uzbekistan, received the 'Oltin qalam' prize in 2024, and this year joined the Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan. At the ceremony, the chairman of the Union, Shukhrat Arif, also presented membership cards to Botir Eshmatov and Shokhrukh Majidov.