Why in News?
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced the recipients of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award on 31 August 2026. The award, often described as Asia’s premier honour for public service, recognises individuals who have shown exceptional integrity, courage and commitment to improving people’s lives.
This year, three individuals from Singapore, Bangladesh and Myanmar have been selected:
- Tommy Koh – Singapore
- Runa Khan – Bangladesh
- Bo Kyi – Myanmar
The awardees come from very different backgrounds, but their work reflects a common commitment to public service, human dignity and positive social change.
Tommy Koh – Singapore
Veteran Singaporean diplomat and legal scholar Tommy Koh has been recognised for his long contribution to international diplomacy, international law and environmental cooperation.
- Born in 1937, Koh joined Singapore’s foreign service in 1968.
- He played an important role in international negotiations on seabed resources.
- In 1982, he presided over the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea, which helped lead to the adoption of UNCLOS, often described as the global framework governing the oceans.
- At home, he contributed to education, public policy, arts and heritage through institutions such as the National University of Singapore.
His work over several decades has made him one of Singapore’s most influential figures in international diplomacy and law.
Runa Khan – Bangladesh
Bangladeshi social entrepreneur Runa Khan has been honoured for her work with communities affected by poverty, climate change and displacement.
- Khan founded the NGO Friendship in 2002 to support people living on remote river islands and other climate-vulnerable areas of Bangladesh.
- Friendship provides healthcare, education, disaster preparedness and livelihood support to marginalised communities.
- Its work includes floating hospitals, mobile clinics and movable schools, allowing essential services to reach communities that are often cut off by floods and river erosion.
- The organisation has also worked on climate adaptation, mangrove restoration and livelihood generation.
Her approach focuses not just on providing immediate relief but also on helping vulnerable communities become more self-reliant and resilient.
Bo Kyi – Myanmar
Bo Kyi, a former political prisoner and human rights activist from Myanmar, has been recognised for his decades-long fight for political prisoners and human rights.
- He participated in Myanmar’s 1988 pro-democracy movement, commonly associated with the 8888 Uprising.
- He was arrested and spent around seven years in prison.
- After leaving Myanmar, he co-founded the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in 2000.
- The organisation documents cases of political detention, human rights violations and abuses and provides support to prisoners and their families.
- Its work became particularly important after the 2021 military coup in Myanmar.
Bo Kyi’s journey from political prisoner to human rights advocate reflects his continued commitment to freedom, justice and human dignity.
Significance of the Award
- The three laureates represent three different forms of public service—diplomacy and international law, community development and climate resilience, and human rights advocacy.
- The 2026 award carries the theme “A World for All”, highlighting the idea that individual courage and public service can create wider social change.
- The three recipients will be formally honoured at the 68th Ramon Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremony at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on 15 November 2026.
