FOWPAL Honors 17 Leaders with Treasured Artworks
The 28th Eurasian Economic Summit took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from May 7 to 8, 2025, bringing together nearly 650 leaders from 44 countries across politics, diplomacy, economics, academia, religion, and business. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), attended for the fourth time, leading a delegation of 64 members. During the summit, FOWPAL invited distinguished leaders to ring the Bell of World Peace and Love, uniting their kind intentions and heartfelt prayers for global peace and sustainability. Additionally, FOWPAL presented artworks from the treasured collection of the Hong Tao Tze Foundation to 17 leaders from various nations, conveying messages of love and peace and expressing wishes for global prosperity and harmony.
At the conference, FOWPAL presented the artworks to 17 distinguished leaders, including Ivo Josipović, former President of Croatia; Petru Lucinschi, former President of Moldova; Stjepan Mesic, former President of Croatia; Mileo Dukanovic, former President of Montenegro; Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania; Bamir Topi, former President of Albania; Abdullah Gül, former President of Türkiye (2007–2014); Ersin Tatar, President of Northern Cyprus; Hassan Diab, former Prime Minister of Lebanon; Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of Romania; Jiří Paroubek, former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic; Enver Hoxhaj, former Prime Minister of Kosovo; Mgr. Yusuf Sag, Syriac Catholic Chorbishop; İlber Ortaylı, Turkish Historian and former Director of Topkapi Museum (2005–2012); Cafer Okray, Vice President of Marmara Group Foundation; and Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
The artworks from the treasured collection of the Hong Tao Tze Foundation are each one-of-a-kind, each carrying its own symbolic meaning. One such painting, presented to Ivo Josipović, former President of Croatia, is titled "The Most Beautiful Moment." It depicts a garden filled with buds, poised to bloom—the epitome of beauty. In a sudden moment, a lotus flower unfurls, signaling the arrival of its season. In quiet stillness, hope gently descends, unseen yet ever-present.
The painting presented to Bamir Topi, former President of Albania, is titled “Lotus – Hope,” symbolizing the water mirroring the lotus leaves, which blend into a landscape of serenity. It also represents Heaven beyond Heaven, each realm more divine and serene, showering hope and peace upon all beings.
The painting presented to Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of Romania, is titled “Radiance of Fortune.” It symbolizes the flow of energy throughout the universe, as warm sunlight softly graces the surface of a tranquil pond. A divine radiance carries heartfelt wishes, while emerald leaves unfold in quiet anticipation of the lotus’s bloom.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, expressed that it was a great honor—not only to receive the painting personally, but also to be entrusted with delivering it to the President, who had attended the summit a few years ago. He also expressed hope that Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, would have the opportunity to visit Northern Cyprus in the future. Minister Ertuğruloğlu was also deeply impressed by the positive energy of the FOWPAL members, noting that they brought great encouragement to the audience, inspiring both the younger generation and the elderly alike. “It was truly a fantastic experience,” he said.
Former President of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, stated, “I am very happy to be with the group of Dr. Hong because there are many young people, many people of goodwill, many people willing to share feelings of love and goodness.”
Former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj, described the artwork as very beautiful and said he would take time to reflect on its meaning, often revisiting the piece to explore its deeper significance through personal contemplation. He expressed appreciation for FOWPAL’s efforts, stating, “What you're doing, it has a purpose, it has a meaning, it has a sense of direction. I think you have to do that also in the future.” He also shared his hope that the world will move toward greater peace in this century.
During their visit to Türkiye, FOWPAL members also actively promoted the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity, and the Declaration of International Day of Conscience. They invited participating leaders to endorse these declarations, aiming to unite the positive force of global conscience and inspire the world to advance toward peace, integrity, and hope. To date, individuals from 107 countries have signed the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity, supporting global peace and sustainability.