Hungary hosts inaugural Connectivity Awards, celebrating Eurasian cooperation in Budapest

The first-ever Connectivity Awards were presented on Thursday evening at Haris Park in Budapest, marking the successful debut of the Friends of Connectivity Foundation. The gala event also served as the opening session of the Asia–Europe Political Forum, held in the Hungarian Parliament under the banner Peace and Democracy in Eurasia.

Hungary aims to be a “winner” of the new global order

In his opening speech, Ádám Samu Balázs, President of the Friends of Connectivity Foundation, said the organisation—established earlier this year—aims to support Hungary in becoming “one of the winners of the new global order currently taking shape.”

He stressed that building strong, mutually respectful relationships with Eurasian partners is in Hungary’s strategic interest, while the country remains firmly committed to its Western alliances through NATO and the EU. Balázs also announced that Budapest will soon host a major pro-peace conference.

“Connectivity has no alternative,” he said, adding that success in the 21st century will depend on cooperation rather than isolation. “Those who choose connectivity may be among the winners of the century – and for us Hungarians, this is the minimum ambition.”

Government highlights commitment to global cooperation

János Bóka, Minister for European Union Affairs, underlined that Hungary supports partnerships based on equality, sovereignty and mutual respect.

He said the government wants the world’s most advanced technologies to converge in Hungary, supported by domestic supply chains and local innovation. “We are interested in producing something new and unique – and making it available for global markets,” he said.

Awardees honoured for diplomacy, dialogue and cultural exchange

In the diplomatic category, this year’s Connectivity Award went to György Károlyi, former Hungarian Ambassador to Paris. He received the award from Minister János Bóka and Péter Várfi, founder of the Connectivity Foundation.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Sous Yara, Vice-Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and Vice-President of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC–CDI). Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Parliament, praised Yara’s role in fostering political dialogue and cooperation across Eurasia.