Vladimir Norov Receives China’s Highest Award for Contributions to International Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and ex-Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Vladimir Norov, has become the first representative of Uzbekistan to be awarded China’s highest government honor, the “Friendship Award,” for his contributions to international cooperation.

Norov announced the award on his LinkedIn page. The ceremony took place on 30 September 2025, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The Friendship Award is China’s top state honor presented to foreign experts for outstanding contributions to the development of international cooperation with China. This year, 50 specialists from 27 countries received the award.

Vladimir Norov emphasized that it is a great honor for him to be among the recipients and highlighted the significance of the award being granted to an Uzbek for the first time. “Throughout my career, whether in diplomacy or academia, I have strived to strengthen mutual trust, dialogue, and cooperation between China, Central Asia, and the international community. Therefore, this award is not only a personal honor but also a symbol of our shared belief in the power of cultural values and human connections,” he stated.

During the ceremony, Norov expressed gratitude to the Chinese government, the Shanghai University of International Studies, his colleagues, and numerous partners, emphasizing that “the spirit of friendship and cooperation should continue to guide us toward a more just, united, and prosperous world.”