Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on receiving the Sheikh Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, delivering a video address presented at the award ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

In his remarks, President Tokayev described the award as recognition of the sides’ wise and responsible leadership, emphasizing that the progress made by Azerbaijan and Armenia toward a peace agreement marks a true historical turning point, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

“This step shows that even long-standing conflicts can be resolved through dialogue, responsibility, and restraint,” Tokayev said, adding that at a time of growing global confrontation, reconciliation should be seen not as weakness, but as a manifestation of strength.

The Kazakh leader also underscored that Kazakhstan highly values the trust placed in the country-particularly the decision to hold one of the key stages of Azerbaijani-Armenian peace negotiations in Almaty. President Tokayev said that this reflects a shared conviction that constructive dialogue remains the only viable path toward sustainable development.

Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s consistent support for initiatives aimed at strengthening peace, trust, and cooperation across the Eurasian space and beyond, stressing the country’s commitment to diplomacy as an effective tool of international relations.

He further highlighted the special role of the Award in promoting peace and expressed gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his unwavering dedication to advancing the ideals of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

“The legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is founded on values that are now reflected in concrete political outcomes,” Tokayev noted, adding that peace and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia have given this legacy renewed global relevance and strengthened faith in diplomacy.

The Kazakh president noted that the firm commitment of the president of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia to achieving peace has given hope to millions and sent a clear signal to the international community that stability and good-neighborly relations remain unconditional global priorities.

Established in 2019, the Sheikh Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honors outstanding contributions to promoting peace, solidarity, and coexistence among peoples and cultures. Previous recipients include Pope Francis, António Guterres, Latifa Ibn Ziaten, as well as King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.