Laureate of the International L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize: «Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship – A New Reality of Modern Diplomacy»

The Khujand Declaration became a compelling example of how peaceful dialogue and constructive diplomacy can lead to the resolution of complex interstate issues. In March 2025, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan finally settled the issue of the border between the two countries, which had been a source of tension in relations between the neighboring republics for many years. And on March 31, the presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan concluded an agreement in Khujand on the trijunction point of the state borders of the three countries, thereby fully completing the legal formalization of their common frontiers and signing a trilateral declaration on eternal friendship.

This step by the leaders of the three countries was highly appreciated by the world community, as evidenced by the awarding of the International L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize in September 2025 to Emomali Rahmon, Sadyr Japarov, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the signatories of the Khujand Declaration.

The round table, dedicated to the significance of the Khujand Declaration and the development of new models of effective diplomacy based on its example, was attended in person and via videoconference by authoritative experts, including: Ivan Safranchuk, Leading Research Fellow at the Institute of International Studies of MGIMO University, Member of the Expert Council under the State Duma Committee on International Affairs; Elena Guskova, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of the Center for the Study of the Modern Balkan Crisis at the Institute of Slavonic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Darya Sapryanskaya, Research Fellow at the Laboratory of Modern Studies of Central Asia and the Caucasus, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, expert atthe Valdai Discussion Club; Hidoyatzoda Komroni Jamoliddin, Member of the Board of the Central Asian Expert Club "Eurasian Development" (Dushanbe,Tajikistan); Akimzhan Arupov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor,Academician of the Academy of Economic Sciences of Kazakhstan, Academician of the International Academy of Informatization.

The discussion was moderated by political scientist, legislative specialist, and media expert Pavel Sklyanchuk.

The round table participants discussed the role of the peacemaking efforts of the leaders of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan aimed at facilitating thesettlement of border and interstate disputes as a model of constructivediplomacy. The speakers noted the importance of the historic border agreement for fostering an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect among the peoples of Central Asia. According to the experts, the Khujand Declaration offered the world a new format of 21st-century diplomacy, based on promoting the principles of non-violence, humanism, and intercultural dialogue. This format allows for the effective building of state cooperation to strengthen regional stability and global peace.

The awarding of the International L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize to the Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan demonstrated the historical importance of the political will shown by the state leaders. "The public nature of the Prize enhances its authority. Because society sees the value that every citizen of our states receives. The Central Asian region is becoming increasingly dynamic today in terms of economic development, labor force, and demographic processes. The signed declaration serves the interests not only of the Central Asian countries butof all states of the world, since Central Asia is increasingly integrating into the global economy," said Akimzhan Arupov.

The relevance of the new principles of the found diplomatic solution, which aligns with the emerging new world order, was noted in her address by Elena Guskova: "The word 'eternal' in the document's title speaks volumes. The Khujand Declaration is an example of a new format of diplomacy in a new world, which is now being built by Russia and countries that share such values as justice, mutual respect, and equality." According to the expert, the awarding of the L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize elevates the diplomatic success of the Khujand Agreement to the status of a universal humanitarian value, recognizing the will for peace as the highest moral ideal.

Ivan Safranchuk also touched upon the importance of moral guidelines and the significance of a sovereign approach in international politics. "It is important that there are authoritative prizes in the world based on high moral standards. Unfortunately, in recent politics, this has not been key, giving way to realism and rationalism. The Khujand Declaration is proof that regional problems can be solved without pressure and without external interference. Just as regional security can be maintained by the forces of the main regional players. It is very important that in Eurasia and on a global scale, the International L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize will be that benchmark of moral standards that can evaluate the corresponding actions of politicians. Unlike Western awards, the Tolstoy Prize evaluates not what is declared, but how capable politicians truly are of acting in the interests of their peoples and regional security," emphasized Ivan Safranchuk.

In his speech, Hidoyatzoda Jamoliddin quoted Leo Tolstoy: "There is no feeling in the world more beautiful than the sensation that you have done at least a drop of good for people." "This is precisely what the leaders of the three countries did for the inhabitants of the Fergana Valley. The presidents have entered history as people who solved the most complex interethnic problems. When signing the Khujand Declaration, which became the most important event of the last century in the region, they were guided by the same ideas of non-violence and humanismpreached by the great Russian writer and thinker Leo Tolstoy, and the awarded prize confirmed that the leaders made their decision guided by those principles on which the new multipolar world order is now being built," noted the expert.

"Events that have reshaped Russia's view of Central Asia began with the signing ofthe Khujand Declaration. It launched many processes that open up great opportunities in a wide variety of sectors for Central Asia. Both the current course of events in the region and the International L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize testify that all actions are aimed at the equality of all regions of the world," noted Darya Sapryanskaya.

With words of gratitude on the occasion of the award being presented to Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Emomali Rahmon, and Sadyr Japarov, advisors and first secretaries from the embassies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic present at the round table spoke. The speakers noted that prosperity and development are impossible without interstate communication, cooperation, and friendship. And the Khujand Declaration became a reason for strengthening trust, expanding cooperation, and forming a positive image of the region on the international stage.

The awarding of the International L.N. Tolstoy Peace Prize, which enjoys well-deserved authority in the world community, emphasizes the significance of the Khujand Declaration in various spheres – from politics and economics to humanitarian and historical ones. The Prize laureates constitute a kind of golden fund of initiatives and achievements aimed at preserving and developing peace in various directions.