The Order of Outstanding Merit (Uzbek: Buyuk xizmatlari uchun) is an order that is currently awarded by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Design
The Order of Outstanding Merit is made from 925 probe silver alloy plated with 0.25 micron thick gold.
The order itself is a ruby colored eight-pointed star with scattered green colored triangles in between each end of the star. In the center is a blue colored globe with the shape of Uzbekistan on the globe. The globe is surrounded by another white colored circle that says "for great services" on the top and a laurel wreath on the bottom.
The intermediate gilded block depicts Uzbekistan's national symbol, a Huma bird spreading its wings against the background of a rising sun.
The weight of the order is 65 grams and its height is 7 millimeters.
Recipients by year
1996
Juan Antonio Samaranch – President of the IOC (awarded on August 29, 1996) Erkin Vohidov – National Poet of Uzbekistan (awarded on November 30, 1996)
1997
Turgun Alimatov – Uzbek folk music player (awarded on August 26, 1997) Said Ahmad Khusanhodzhaev - Playwright and writer (awarded on August 26, 1997)
1998
Leonid Kuchma – President of Ukraine (awarded on February 16, 1998) Ismail Dzhurabekov - First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan (awarded on August 27, 1998) Kozim Tulyaganov – mayor (Hokim) of Tashkent (awarded on August 27, 1998) Rakhim Akhmedov – People's Artist of Uzbekistan (awarded on August 27, 1998) Mutal Burhonov – musical composer (awarded on August 27, 1998) Zikir Muhammadjonov – actor (awarded on August 27, 1998) Nursultan Nazarbayev – President of Kazakhstan (awarded on October 31, 1998) Chinghiz Aitmatov – Kyrgyz writer (awarded on December 11, 1998)
1999
Ozod Sharafutdinov – editor-in-chief of the magazine Jahon adabiyeti (awarded on March 22, 1999) Salizhan Sharipov – Russian cosmonaut of Kyrgyz descent (awarded on July 29, 1999) Buribay Akhmedov – Uzbek scientist (awarded on August 25, 1999) Fazila Sulaimonova – leading researcher at the Academy of Sciences (awarded on August 25, 1999)
2000
Gʻafur Gʻulom – Soviet Uzbek academician (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Musa Tashmukhamedov – Soviet Uzbek poet and writer (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Abdulla Qahhor – Soviet Uzbek playwright (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Tuychi Tashmukhamedov – Soviet Uzbek folk musician (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Mukhitdin Kari-Yakubov – Soviet Uzbek actor and singer (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Yunus Rajabi – Soviet Uzbek composer and academician (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Abrar Khidoyatov – Soviet Uzbek theater actor (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Jurahan Sultanov – Soviet Uzbek actor, singer, and composer (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Mamurjon Uzakov – Soviet Uzbek singer (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Kamiljan Ataniyazov – Soviet Uzbek singer and musician (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Botir Zokirov – Soviet Uzbek singer, writer, and actor (awarded posthumously on August 25, 2000) Malik Nabiev – Soviet Uzbek artist (awarded on August 25, 2000) Halima Nosirova – Soviet Uzbek opera singer (awarded on August 25, 2000)