The presidents of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov; and Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, have been named laureates of the 2025 International Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize, TASS reports. The award ceremony took place in Moscow on the birthday of the great Russian writer and philosopher.
The decision, made unanimously by the prize jury, recognizes the three leaders for their pivotal role in fostering stability, peace, and regional cooperation in Central Asia.
Valery Gergiev, Chairman of the Prize Jury and Artistic Director of both the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres, emphasized that the leaders were honored for their tangible contributions to harmony in a historically complex region. “This award celebrates those who choose dialogue over conflict — and peace over division,” Gergiev stated.
The Organizing Committee highlighted the historic signing on March 31 of the tripartite agreement demarcating the common border junction of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. This landmark accord finalized the legal delineation of shared frontiers — a move organizers called “a decisive contribution to equitable security, mutual trust, and long-term cooperation among Central Asian nations.”
Global Recognition, Humanitarian Vision
The international jury included prominent political and cultural figures from Argentina, Belarus, India, China, Russia, France, South Africa, and Japan.
Pierre de Gaulle, grandson of French President Charles de Gaulle, praised the laureates for embodying “a new model of conflict resolution — one rooted in humanitarian diplomacy, not force.” He added: “In a world of rising tensions, their example offers hope.”
The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize was established on June 22, 2022, by the Russian Historical Society, the Russian Peace Foundation, and the Russian Military-Historical Society. The date for the official award ceremony will be announced separately.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
10 сентября 2025 года