AJC Presents Diplomatic Excellence Award to Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov

American Jewish Committee (AJC) has presented veteran diplomat Nickolay Mladenov with the AJC Madeline and Bruce M. Ramer Award for Diplomatic Excellence in recognition of his decades of work to advance peace and stability in the Middle East.

The award was presented Thursday at AJC's Global Jewish Diplomacy Reception, a cornerstone event of AJC's annual Diplomatic Marathon.

Since January 2026, Mladenov has served as the Board of Peace's High Representative for Gaza. In that role, he is working to advance implementation of President Trump's 20-point plan and the roadmap for Gaza.

"Mr. Mladenov has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diplomacy, regional stability, and international cooperation throughout his remarkable career," said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. "From his service at the United Nations to his current work as High Representative for Gaza, he has consistently pursued practical solutions to some of the region's most difficult challenges and remained at the forefront of the pursuit of a peaceful future in the Middle East."

A former member of the European Parliament, Mladenov previously served as the U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process from 2015-2020. During his tenure, he led political efforts with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and worked toward greater peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

From 2013 to 2015, he served as the U.N. Special Representative for Iraq and head of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, where he helped facilitate the formation of a national unity government. He previously served as Bulgaria's Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"The events of the last three years demonstrate how volatile the Middle East remains, despite sustained efforts to achieve positive solutions," said Mladenov. "Peace may be elusive, but it is not beyond reach. We cannot stop working toward that goal. There is simply too much at stake."

Mladenov also serves as Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi. His leadership is helping prepare the next generation of Emirati diplomats and foreign policy practitioners to navigate unprecedented challenges and new opportunities, including the strengthening and expansion of the Abraham Accords, of which Mladenov has been a stalwart supporter.

During this year's Diplomatic Marathon, AJC staff and lay leaders will meet with diplomats and government officials from more than 70 nations gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector t