The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) hosted the prestigious Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award ceremony, honouring Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, for his work to protect human rights and develop his city's resilience and capacity for innovation in the face of Russia's invasion. The event featured European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.
Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, said: "It is a great honor for me to receive the Paweł Adamowicz Award. This is not only a recognition of my work as the Mayor of Kyiv and a politician but also a testament to the unwavering commitment to the values of freedom and democracy, as well as the heroism of the entire Ukrainian people. For nearly three years now, we have been fighting for our statehood and a democratic future. I am grateful for the support of our friends and partners. Together, we are standing for our shared values and the security of the democratic world. And together, we must win this fight!"
The award was established in memory of the late Paweł Adamowicz, a devoted member of the European People's Party in the CoR (EPP-CoR) and Mayor of Gdańsk, who was tragically murdered in 2019 while performing his public duties. His legacy continues to inspire efforts toward inclusivity, tolerance, and democracy in Europe and beyond.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West-Pomernian Region said "Like Paweł Adamowicz, our laureates pay a great personal price for their activities, becoming targets of hate speech, defamation, physical attacks, including against their loved ones. This is the case with this year’s laureates, to whom I sincerely congratulate on behalf of the EPP. "
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdansk said, "Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kiev, was selected by the Award Jury for his extraordinary leadership in promoting civic engagement and defending human rights and democracy in the face of the extreme challenges of war. Klitschko, like Paweł Adamowicz, is an inspiration for all of us in building resilience and democratic civic engagement."
Jelena Drenjanin, member of Huddinge Municipality added, "It is with great pride that we recognize Mayor Vitali Klitschko as the prize winner of the 4th edition of the award. Mayor Klitschko has demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment to democracy. Under his guidance, Kyiv adopted a local action plan on open government in January 2025, developed collaboratively with civil society organizations and supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Mayor, your work has been a real embodiment of European values and European integration, you have defended the title of honorary member of our institution in a remarkable way. And we are committed to support Ukrainian mayors and local councils in all necessary steps in preparation of EU accession – from regional development plans, to decentralisation and self-government reforms."
Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, said: “Ukrainian mayors and local councils are heroes of resilience. They provide leadership and essential services under unimaginable circumstances. When people lose their homes to Russian bombings, local authorities are often the first to step up—repurposing sports halls as shelters or providing food and clothing. It is only right that, with Vitaliy Klitschko, a Ukrainian mayor has received the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award. His Kyiv is the emotional capital of all who dream of the true unification of our continent—all who share the dream of a peaceful, free, and prosperous European Union.”
Magdalena Adamowicz, Member of the European Parliament, widow of Mayor Adamowicz, said: “Ukrainian mayors and local councils are heroes of resilience. They provide leadership and essential services under unimaginable circumstances. When people lose their homes to Russian bombings, local authorities are often the first to step up—repurposing sports halls as shelters or providing food and clothing. It is only right that, with Vitaliy Klitschko, a Ukrainian mayor has received the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award. His Kyiv is the emotional capital of all who dream of the true unification of our continent—all who share the dream of a peaceful, free, and prosperous European Union.”
Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli were also honoured for their efforts to build bridges between their communities.