The awards ceremony was held as part of the international art exhibition “Harmony”, timed to coincide with the SCO summit. On display are 120 works by 54 famous artists from SCO member countries. Uzbekistan’s exposition, mounted with assistance from Fund Forum, features artworks by painters such as Alisher Alikulov, Valeriy Yenin and Javlon Umarbekov.

“Silk Road and Humanitarian Cooperation” is awarded to prominent public figures for their contributions to humanitarian cooperation among SCO member countries. Six prominent people from Russia, China, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have received the award this year.

According to Zhang Deguang, the president of the China-Central Asia Friendship Association, the awards ceremony signals a good beginning of a significant cultural exchange as part of the current SCO summit.