Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2026 Honour Three Asian Leaders

The Ramon Magsaysay Award 2026 has honored three people who have been making a significant contribution to Asia through their work. Tommy Koh of Singapore who is a diplomat and a lawyer, Bo Kyi from Myanmar who is a human rights activist, and Runa Khan from Bangladesh who is a social worker and a former teacher are the awardees for the year 2026, as announced on August 31. The contributions of these awardees include international law, democracy, human rights, poverty reduction, and climate resilience.

Who are the Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2026 winners?

1. Tommy Koh: Advocate of diplomacy and international law

Singapore diplomat, 88-year-old Tommy Koh has dedicated many years to the promotion of international cooperation, dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Koh is a key figure who took part in negotiations that resulted in the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which created the legal framework for the peaceful and just utilization of the oceans of the planet.

Besides being a diplomat, Koh is an academician, a public servant, and an art supporter and contributor to various civic organizations. For his contributions to international diplomacy and for his attempts to develop a new generation of people dedicated to the ideals of justice and human dignity the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation awarded him.

In all his diplomatic activities Koh stressed the importance of dialogue, rule of law and international cooperation especially in those cases when two disputing countries have different levels of power.

2. Runa Khan: Essential services for remote areas

Bangladesh’s development leader Runa Khan, aged 67, felt deeply touched when she came to know about the plight of those living in remote char communities in her country. She set up an organization called ‘Friendship’ to provide basic services to populations out of the reach of traditional development organizations.

While it all started with one hospital boat only to expand into a bigger model encompassing healthcare, education, climate resilience, livelihood, and social inclusion in riverine, coastal, and refugee communities.

Khan was awarded with the RMAF Award for her empathy, bravery, vision, and determination in setting up Friendship and doing all of this with a focus on creating opportunities from access and privilege in some of Bangladesh’s toughest geography and economy.

3. Bo Kyi: A lifelong struggle for democracy and justice

Myanmar human right activist Bo Kyi, 61, knows firsthand what repression looks like as he was himself arrested following Myanmar’s pro-democracy demonstration in 1988 and was twice jailed for seven years.

In 2000, he co-founded the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). This organization assists political prisoners and their relatives in documenting human rights abuses during the military regime.

By collecting such data AAPP managed to attract the attention of the international community to the problem of political prisoners and to make sure their stories were not forgotten.

The RMAF recognized the moral courage, personal sacrifice, and dedication to democracy and human dignity in Bo Kyi’s attempt to achieve truth and justice.

Why is the Ramon Magsaysay Award relevant?

The main purpose of creating the award was to encourage people showing “greatness of spirit” who serve the peoples of Asia, irrespective of race, gender or religion. The prize is awarded every year since 1958 after the death of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay in 1957.

During more than six decades, there have been 353 award-winning individuals and organizations recognized for their outstanding contribution to their communities, Asia and even the whole world.

Between 1958 and 2008, the awards were granted to people and organizations within six categories: Government Service, Public Service, Community Leadership, Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, Peace and International Understanding, and Emergent Leadership.

Since 2009, the awards are no longer given in separate categories; except for Emergent Leadership.

How are Ramon Magsaysay Award Winners Chosen?

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) invites nominations from its network of international confidential nominators. It is worth mentioning that the public does not have an opportunity to nominate anyone.

The candidates go through investigations and evaluation process after which the RMAF Board of Trustees choose the award recipients.

When are 2026 award winners recognized?

Every year the award recipients are named on August 31 on the birthday of Ramon Magsaysay. The formal awarding ceremony is traditionally held in Manila, Philippines, in November.

This means that the award winners in 2026 will receive a certificate and the classic Ramon Magsaysay medallion embossed with the profile of the former Philippine president. The ceremony will take place in Manila Metropolitan Theatre on November 15, 2026.