With the theme “Inspiring Positive Change”This year's awards honor global changemakers, with the Lifetime Achievement Award going to Italian architect Raul Pantaleo for promoting architecture as a tool for social equity and revitalization.
Istanbul, – Born in 2017 within TRT's vision of “inspiring positive change” and considered one of its most important social responsibility projects, the TRT World Citizen Awards The awards were presented for the seventh time this year. The prizes, awarded to individuals from around the world who, in their respective fields, are expanding social benefit on a global scale, help share their stories with an international audience and foster the spread of positive change.
To date, 31 people from 17 different countries were awarded the TRT World Citizen Awards. The seventh edition the ceremony took place in Istanbul on February 13With the participation of Emine Erdogan, wife of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Emine Erdoğan's participation
Emine Erdogan, wife of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stated that i TRT World Citizen Awards they represent a project of great value.
Guest of honor at the ceremony and in charge of opening the event, Emine Erdoğan emphasized that, since 2017, the TRT World Citizen Awards have been a high-profile initiative, capable of drawing attention to global issues and raising awareness of issues of international relevance. She emphasized how the project unites people around the world who oppose injustice, defend human dignity, and are committed to making life better. She also emphasized that the initiative represents a strong expression of TRT's editorial line, which has always been oriented towards the pursuit of truth and upholding it in all circumstances.
At the end of the interventions, Sobacı He presented Emine Erdoğan with a designer object engraved with a verse as a commemorative gift.
It is necessary to build a fair narrative framework
Il Director of Presidential Communications, Burhanettin Duran, stressed the importance of building a fair narrative framework.
Speaking at the ceremony of the TRT World Citizen AwardsDuran highlighted how the world is simultaneously experiencing serious humanitarian problems and very high levels of prosperity.
Thanking TRT for the role it plays in the public radio and television service, Duran explained that the Communications Directorate is committed to describing the virtuous position founded on the values of Turkey, to fight injustices and to produce alternative narratives and perspectives. He finally reiterated the need for a fair and balanced narrative framework, underlining that the institution's commitment is geared precisely towards achieving this objective.
TRT Director General Sobacı: "TRT will strive to make people's stories visible."
In his opening speech at the ceremony, TRT Director General Mehmet Zahid Sobacı stated that TRT World Citizen Awards They represent a platform where positive ideas, concrete actions, and "brave hearts" are promoted. He emphasized how this initiative allows many people committed to humanity to be better known and to inspire others.
Stressing that Turkey continues its commitment under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Sobacı recalled how TRT, as the national public broadcaster, is working with the utmost commitment in this direction. He concluded by reiterating that the TRT family will continue to work to highlight the stories of those who uphold these values, to ensure their voices are heard.
Prizes awarded to the winners
The award “World Citizen of the Year” has been assigned to Yahya Barzaq, a Gazan photographer who, before the conflict, took family portraits and who, during the war with Israel, documented the conflict to tell the world what was happening. Barzaq lost his life in the Israeli attacks of September 30, 2025The recognition was withdrawn by the mother, Yousra Barzaq, and delivered by Emine Erdogan, wife of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Il “Lifetime Achievement Award” was awarded to the Italian architect Raul Pantaleo, which interprets architecture not only as an aesthetic expression, but as an instrument of solidarity and rebirth, developed in response to social inequalities.
in the category “Communicator”, were awarded Ibtihal Aboussaad e Vaniya Agrawal for taking a clear stance on the ethical responsibilities associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the technology sector. The award "Youth" it was instead awarded to the Nigerian environmental activist Amara Nwuneli.
The award “Educator” It was delivered by the General Director of TRT Mehmet Zahid Sobacı a Rudayna Abdo, for making digital education accessible to refugee and disadvantaged children.
The award “Accessibility” has been assigned to Joohi Tahir, for his contribution to generating lasting change in inclusion and accessibility within Muslim communities.
Contact details
Sezin Soylu
sezin.soylu@trt.net.tr
Changes and revisions to this article
- Article updated on 26/02/2026 at 16:30 PM - Title typo corrected
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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