The award was presented at the opening ceremony of the major international conference, held at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, and was accepted by Tristan Azbej, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade responsible for assisting persecuted Christians and overseeing the Hungary Helps Program.
In his remarks, State Secretary Azbej noted that the United States is marking the 250th anniversary of its independence this year, and emphasized that Hungarians, through their own history, understand the struggle for freedom and religious liberty. He recalled that Hungary experienced both totalitarian dictatorships of the 20th century—Nazism and communism—which left a lasting mark on the nation’s commitment to defending fundamental freedoms.
The state secretary highlighted that the core principle of the Hungary Helps Program is to deliver assistance directly to communities in need, building personal and human connections rather than operating through distant bureaucratic structures.
State Secretary Azbej outlined the program’s plans for 2026, noting that with Hungarian support, schools and churches are set to be renovated in Syria, children will receive assistance in Pakistan, churches will be rebuilt in Iraq, and health care support will be provided in Nigeria.
Presenting the award, David Trimble, President of the Religious Freedom Institute and former Prime Minister of Ireland, emphasized that Hungary’s approach is particularly worthy of recognition because aid is delivered directly to persecuted communities, ensuring tangible and immediate impact.
As host of the event, Ambassador Szabolcs Takács, Hungary’s Ambassador to the United States, stressed that the fact the Hungarian Embassy hosted the opening ceremony of the summit symbolized Hungary’s long-standing and consistent commitment to the protection of religious freedom worldwide.
Awards from the Religious Freedom Institute were also presented to the two co-chairs of the international conference, Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights, and Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
Organizers expect approximately 1,800 to 2,000 participants to attend the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington. Around 200 guests were present at the embassy’s opening event, including representatives of the U.S. government, several European political leaders, as well as religious leaders from Nigeria and Syria.