The 7th annual Global Ambassador Awards took place in Islamabad on 26 November 2025, bringing together heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of international organizations and business leaders to recognise diplomatic achievement for 2025. The ceremony was organised by The Diplomatic Insight magazine in partnership with the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, with notable attendees including H.E. Murtaza Solangi, Spokesperson to the President of Pakistan, and H.E. Huzaifa Rehman, Minister of State for National Heritage and Culture and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister.
For the first time the organisers introduced a special category, Ambassador of the Year, with nominees selected through comprehensive surveys conducted among Pakistan’s political, official, diplomatic, business and academic communities. The new category aimed to reflect broad-based professional and public assessment across Islamabad’s diplomatic and civic circles.
Based on the survey results the title was awarded to H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, in recognition of his substantial contribution to strengthening Kazakhstan‑Pakistan cooperation. Islamabad’s diplomatic corps comprises more than 120 missions and international offices, and among all heads of mission the Ambassador of Kazakhstan was the sole recipient of this distinction in 2025.
Ambassador Kistafin had previously been recognised by the Global Ambassador Awards in 2022, underscoring continued appreciation for the embassy’s work in Pakistan. He expressed gratitude to Muhammad Asif Noor, Head of the Diplomatic Insight Group, and Ms. Farhat Asif, Director of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, for their recognition and support of enhanced bilateral engagement.
