NEW YORK, September 27, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- On behalf of President Emomali Rahmon, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi has bestowed the Order of Ismoili Somoni Order on the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

The Order of Ismoili Somoni, named after ancestor of the Samanid dynasty, is the highest decoration bestowed by Tajikistan.

Besides, Zarifi has bestowed the Order of Dousti (Friendship) on the UNDP head Helen Clark.

Tajik foreign minister held a number of meeting with the UN high-ranking officials on the sidelines of the ongoing 66th session of the UN General Assembly.  State and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the United Nations and the current situation in the region were the focus of those meetings.

Zarifi also held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 66th session.