Catalina Duque Abreu, Miss Colombia 2024, was crowned Miss International 2025 during a gala held in Tokyo, Japan. With this achievement, the 23-year-old Colombian becomes the fourth woman from the country to obtain this prestigious title, solidifying Colombia’s place among the global powerhouses of beauty pageants.
The event, which brought together nearly 80 contestants from all continents, stood out for its cultural focus, its emphasis on public speaking, and its promotion of social causes — fundamental pillars of the Miss International competition since its creation.
Coronation of Colombian Catalina Duque as Miss International 2025
@mu_colombia Catalina Duque es COLOMBIA 🇨🇴 en Miss Internacional. #misscolombia #catalinaduque #missinternational #missinternationalcolombia #missuniversecolombia @Miss Universe ♬ Berghain – ROSALÍA & Björk & Yves Tumor
The final night took place at the Tokyo International Forum and gathered thousands of spectators, along with a global audience who followed the live broadcast. The finalists included representatives from the Philippines, Indonesia, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, and Colombia, a selection that reflected the diversity of the pageant.
Duque shone from the beginning with her confident runway presence, charisma, and solid performance in the speech round. During the final night, her remarks centered on the values of empathy, cultural diplomacy, and female leadership.
The decisive moment came when the Colombian faced Zimbabwe’s representative, Yollanda Chimbarami, in the last round of the competition. Duque ultimately received the sash and crown of Miss International 2025, securing one of the most important beauty recognitions in the world.
“This title represents the collective work of Colombian women who dream of transforming their reality through service and culture,” Duque said after her coronation.
The significance of her victory for Colombia
With this triumph, Colombia now holds four Miss International crowns, reaffirming its presence on the global stage. The country is already a strong contender in competitions such as Miss Universe and Miss World, and now strengthens its standing in a pageant that evaluates not only beauty, but also social commitment and leadership skills.
Duque, born in Miami but raised in Colombia, has stood out for her social work and her interest in education and women’s empowerment projects. Her proposal for the competition focused on creating training spaces for girls and teenagers in vulnerable communities, an approach that aligns with the pageant’s philosophy.
What does a Miss International do?
The role of Miss International goes far beyond wearing a crown. The winner assumes the responsibility of serving as a cultural and social ambassador for an entire year, participating in activities in Japan and other countries. Her main duties include:
Cultural ambassador
She promotes her country’s identity, traditions, and arts through international gatherings, cultural fairs, and official visits.
Spokesperson for peace and friendship
The pageant is known for its slogan “Beauty with a Purpose,” which highlights values of inclusion, respect, and cooperation among nations. Miss International represents these principles in every public appearance.
Participation in global events
She attends conferences, diplomatic forums, charity galas, and activities organized by the International Cultural Association, especially in Asia.
Support for humanitarian projects
She contributes to causes related to education, health, childhood welfare, women’s empowerment, and social aid, collaborating with NGOs and international organizations.
Public image of the pageant
She serves as the official spokesperson of Miss International in media outlets, promotional campaigns, and sponsored events.
Tourism and diplomatic promotion
Her presence helps strengthen cultural and tourism ties between countries, promoting destinations and encouraging cultural exchange.
A pageant with a diplomatic focus
Unlike Miss Universe, which highlights leadership and media presence, and Miss World, which centers on social projects, Miss International combines cultural and humanitarian elements, making it a pageant with a more diplomatic profile. For this reason, winners are often women with outstanding communication skills, social awareness, and a strong sense of service.
Duque will begin her official agenda in Japan in the coming weeks, where she will reside temporarily, and from there she will embark on a series of visits to countries associated with the pageant. Her victory represents a new chapter for Colombia in the world of beauty competitions and opens a year of opportunities to strengthen the country’s image on the international stage.