A solemn award ceremony for the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize was held in Saint Petersburg, honoring the Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan for their personal contributions to peace and regional stability in Central Asia.
TASS reports that President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan received the award from Valery Gergiev, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre also Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, who also chairs the prize committee.
Awarded in September 2025, the prize recognizes the efforts of the three leaders in resolving long-standing border disputes and strengthening regional cooperation and friendship.
In his acceptance speech, President Rahmon thanked the Russian leadership and the Tolstoy Peace Prize Foundation.
He emphasized that the award symbolizes not just personal recognition, but the collective achievement of the three countries in promoting peace and stability across the CIS region.
Rahmon described the resolution of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border issue as a historic milestone, noting that the dispute had remained unresolved for over a century.
President Rahmon also recalled the signing of a landmark agreement in March 2025 between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan on the tripoint border and the Khujand Declaration of Eternal Friendship. He emphasized that these documents provide a solid legal foundation for regional development and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Addressing broader global issues, Rahmon expressed concern over growing geopolitical and geo-economic competition, a renewed wave of “cold war” dynamics, an arms race, and the weakening of international legal norms.
“In these conditions, we must—through active participation in global processes and together with the international community—intensify our efforts to achieve constructive goals: maintaining peace, ensuring stability, and securing comprehensive security,” he stated.
The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize was established on June 22, 2022 by the Russian Historical Society, the Russian Military Historical Society, and the Russian Peace Foundation. It is awarded annually for activities promoting peace and international cooperation, as well as for achievements in charity, culture, and education—including efforts that contribute to a positive image of Russia globally.
The first award ceremony was held on September 9, 2024, marking the birthday of the famous writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy.
