Jean-Yves Thibaudet has been awarded the 2021 Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Award in recognition of his advancements in the field of music and performing arts, and in particular for his ​“passion and dedication to bringing classical music to the world stage” and ​“the breadth of his repertoire to include such a wide range of styles representing cultures around the world”.

The Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Awards are bestowed on artists and leaders who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to using arts and culture to unite people around the world through shared values and interests.