Mirziyoyev awards the US Secretary of State and Special Envoy with state orders
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with the Order 'For Outstanding Merits' and US Special Envoy Sergio Gor with the Order 'Friendship' in Samarkand.
On 19–20 October 2026 in Samarkand, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan presented two senior US officials with Uzbek state awards. The ceremony coincided with the US visit to Central Asia, the C5+1 meeting and the work of the US–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council.
Who received which order
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was awarded the Order 'For Outstanding Merits' (Buyuk xizmatlari uchun). The US President's Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, received the Order 'Friendship' (Doʻstlik). Both awards were granted by separate presidential decrees.
Reasons for the awards
According to official information, Marco Rubio was recognized for his personal contribution to developing the Uzbekistan–US strategic partnership and to supporting peace, stability and development in Central Asia. Sergio Gor was recognized for strengthening friendly relations, advancing political dialogue, implementing bilateral agreements, attracting US investors and expanding cooperation through the business council.
What Rubio said
According to Kun.uz, after receiving the award Marco Rubio said: 'Receiving the Order For Outstanding Merits from the hands of President Mirziyoyev was a great honor for me.'
Where and when
The ceremony took place mainly in Samarkand, the city that hosted the C5+1 meeting (one outlet gave the location as Tashkent, but most sources confirm Samarkand). Sources place the dates between 19 and 21 October; 19 October is cited as the date the decrees were signed.
