Central Asian Leaders Receive Tolstoy Peace Prize for Regional Unity
The presidents of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have been awarded the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize in Saint Petersburg in recognition of their joint efforts to strengthen peace and security in Central Asia.
The award ceremony was held at the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory, where the prize was presented to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.
The prize was handed over by Valery Gergiev, chairman of the international jury and head of both the Mariinsky and Bolshoi theatres, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the jury, the three leaders were honored for their personal contributions to regional stability, particularly following the signing of the Border Junction Treaty and the Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship on March 31, 2025, in Khujand. These agreements marked a significant turning point in relations among the three neighboring states, reinforcing collective security while promoting trust and cooperation.
The jury noted that the accords opened a new chapter in Central Asian relations, made possible by strong political will and the shared aspiration of the region’s peoples for good-neighborly ties. The Border Junction Treaty precisely defines the junction point of the three countries’ borders and clarifies the alignment of state boundary lines.
The document is regarded as strategically important for regional integration, creating a foundation for deeper political dialogue, expanded economic cooperation, cross-border trade, joint infrastructure projects, and job creation in border areas. Together, these initiatives contribute to positioning Central Asia as a region of peace, prosperity, and constructive development, in line with the humanistic ideals embodied by the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize.
