Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2026: Tommy Koh, Runa Khan and Bo Kyi Honoured for Public Service, Humanitarian Work and Human Rights Awards, International Affairs and General Awareness Prelims / General Awareness 4 September 2026 Read highlighted facts first FAST READ - read only this box if short on time
- 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees: Tommy Koh (Singapore), Runa Khan (Bangladesh), Bo Kyi (Myanmar).
- The award was established in 1957 in memory of Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.
- First awards were presented in 1958.
- Tommy Koh is noted for diplomacy and work connected with UNCLOS.
- Runa Khan works through Friendship; Bo Kyi is associated with defence of political prisoners and human rights.
WHY IN NEWS
- The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced the three 2026 awardees.
- The winners were recognised for diplomacy and international cooperation, humanitarian innovation, and human-rights advocacy.
- The award remains one of Asia's best-known public-service honours.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- 2026 awardee: Tommy Koh of Singapore.
- 2026 awardee: Runa Khan of Bangladesh.
- 2026 awardee: Bo Kyi of Myanmar.
- Award foundation established in 1957.
- First awards presented in 1958.
- The award honours the memory of Ramon Magsaysay, former President of the Philippines.
- The award foundation was established with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
- Tommy Koh is a diplomat, lawyer and public servant.
- He played a prominent role in international law and diplomacy.
- He is strongly associated with the negotiations leading to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Runa Khan founded the Bangladesh-based organisation Friendship.
- Friendship works with remote and vulnerable communities.
- Bo Kyi is a former political prisoner and human-rights activist.
- He is associated with advocacy for political prisoners in Myanmar.