The award ceremony took place during a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, the mayor noted.
"In the European Parliament, I called on our European partners to enhance their support during this critical moment for Ukraine. Receiving the award named after Mayor Pawel Adamowicz, I emphasized that this recognition is not just for my work as the mayor of Kyiv. It acknowledges the commitment to the values of freedom and democracy, and the heroism of the entire Ukrainian people, who have been fighting for nearly three years for their statehood, principles, and the safety of the democratic world," said Klitschko.
He highlighted that Mayor of Gdańsk, Pawel Adamowicz, also advocated for democratic principles and demonstrated that leadership is not just about governance.
"Leadership is primarily about humanity, solidarity, and serving people. Especially those who need it the most. This is something that world leaders and politicians must understand today when making decisions regarding support and solidarity with Ukraine, because justice is on Ukraine's side!" Klitschko emphasized.
The Pawel Adamowicz Award, named after the Gdańsk mayor who was killed in 2019 while fulfilling his public duties, was established at the initiative of the European Committee of the Regions, the city of Gdańsk, and the international network ICORN. This award honors outstanding contributions to strengthening democracy, defending human rights, and fostering civic solidarity.