Moscow, July 25, 2026 – The Europe Today: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President Tô Lâm has been named the recipient of the 2026 Lev N. Tolstoy International Peace Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting global peace, international cooperation, and respect for international law.
The international jury unanimously selected the Vietnamese leader during its meeting on Friday, praising his efforts to strengthen peace and cooperation among nations and his leadership in advancing Việt Nam’s development and global engagement.
Jury Chairman Valery Gergiev, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, Artistic Director and General Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, and a People’s Artist of Russia, participated in the meeting online from Saint Petersburg. He highlighted Việt Nam’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region while successfully preserving its rich cultural identity amid international integration.
The jury also acknowledged President Tô Lâm’s significant role in promoting global justice, upholding international law, and fostering the peace-loving, humanitarian, and dialogue-oriented traditions of the Communist Party, Government, and people of Việt Nam.
Other members of the international jury, including Vladimir Tolstoy, Director General of the State Museum of L.N. Tolstoy and a descendant of the renowned Russian author Lev Tolstoy, French public figure Pierre de Gaulle, and South African parliamentarian Lindiwe Sisulu, emphasized the enduring relevance of the universal humanitarian values advocated by Lev Tolstoy and other prominent historical figures.
The jury members also commended Việt Nam’s remarkable transformation from a nation devastated by war into one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, describing its development and successful international integration as an inspiration for countries seeking peace, stability, and sustainable progress.
The Lev N. Tolstoy International Peace Prize, presented for the third time this year, is awarded by an international council comprising distinguished political, social, and cultural leaders from Argentina, Belarus, China, France, India, Japan, Russia, and South Africa. The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to peace, international understanding, and humanitarian values.
