Laureates of the "For Service to Humanity" Award were Announced at the Finale of the Second World Public Assembly
The solemn ceremony of awarding the World Public Recognition Award "For Service to Humanity" took place on September 19, 2026, at the World Trade Center and became the concluding event of the Second World Public Assembly "A New World: Values That Unite."
The award is bestowed upon statesmen and public figures, representatives of science, culture, and cosmonautics from various countries of the world, whose many years of activity serve as an example of service to society, strengthening peace and mutual understanding between peoples, protecting human dignity, and responsibility for the future.
The laureates of the World Public Recognition Award "For Service to Humanity" in 2026 are:
Marcos Cesar Pontes (Brazil) — the first cosmonaut of Brazil, senator, scientist, and public figure. The award was bestowed for outstanding contribution to space exploration, the development of science and education, the strengthening of international cooperation, and the affirmation of humanity's shared responsibility for the future of the planet.
Valery Ivanovich Tokarev (Russia) — Hero of the Russian Federation, pilot-cosmonaut. During the ceremony, a decision was made to bestow upon him the Award for outstanding contribution to space exploration, the development of international cooperation, and many years of service to people, the Fatherland, and humanity.
Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly Andrey Belyaninov, presenting the award, emphasized:
— Valery Tokarev and Marcos Pontes are united not only by space. They carried out the most complex tasks aboard the International Space Station and were responsible for each other's safety. Twenty years ago, they were one crew and returned to Earth from orbit. Such trust is not measured by distances and does not depend on state borders. From space, these borders are not visible — but it is especially clear how fragile our common home is and how great is humanity's responsibility for its future. Today we honor them both. Their life path, professional destiny, and devotion to their calling fully correspond to the meaning of our Award. Hero of the Russian Federation, pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation Valery Ivanovich Tokarev and cosmonaut Marcos Cesar Pontes have been honored with it together — for outstanding contribution to space exploration, the development of international cooperation, and many years of service to people, the Fatherland, and humanity.
Also, the "For Service to Humanity" award was presented to:
Lisa Sotilis (Greece) — artist, sculptor, custodian of artistic heritage. The award was bestowed for many years of service to culture and art, the preservation of artistic heritage, the strengthening of intercultural dialogue, and constructive ties between peoples.
Ali Nasser Mohammed (Yemen) — statesman and political figure. The award was bestowed for many years of service to peace, the development of public diplomacy, the promotion of peaceful conflict resolution, and the strengthening of mutual understanding between peoples.
Vladimir Ivanovich Yakunin (Russia) — public figure and scientist. The award was bestowed for outstanding contribution to the development of dialogue among civilizations, the strengthening of public diplomacy, the preservation of cultural and spiritual values, and the expansion of international humanitarian cooperation.
Tokon Bolotbekovich Mamytov (Kyrgyzstan) — Lieutenant General, statesman. The award was bestowed for many years of state and public service, the protection of human rights and dignity, the strengthening of interethnic harmony, and the development of good-neighborly relations between peoples.
Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov (Cuba) — representative of a new generation of public leaders. The award was bestowed for contribution to the preservation of historical memory, the strengthening of friendship between the peoples of Cuba and Russia, the development of public diplomacy, and humanitarian ties between Latin America and Eurasia.
A special honorary guest of the ceremony was member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the World Peoples Assembly Dalbir Singh, who addressed those gathered with a welcoming speech.
— First of all, allow me to recall that I myself was a happy recipient of this award in recognition of my services to humanity. And allow me to assure all the laureates who will be honored this year that this award also signifies an enormous commitment, dedication, and continuous effort to uphold the noble ideals of this great organization, alongside which I have grown over the past nine to ten years. During this time, we have reached 5,600 people in 164 countries. Many organizations could not achieve this, but we could. So, to all those who are receiving this award today, allow me to say: "Responsibility rests on your shoulders. Trust has been placed in you — to continue working in the name of the ideals of this organization, - noted Dalbir Singh.
The laureates were presented with statuettes, diplomas, and badges of the World Public Recognition Award "For Service to Humanity." The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere and became a symbol of recognition of the contribution of outstanding people to the strengthening of humanitarian values, the development of international cooperation, and the building of a just and safe future for the next generations.
Additional information is available on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly and at media@world-assembly.org.