The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation names TOMMY KOH as one of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, for “his exemplary leadership in international diplomacy and in formation of a new generation of advocates devoted to the advancement of justice and human dignity the world over. Through his steadfast faith in dialogue, the rule of law, and international cooperation, he has helped make peaceful coexistence possible in a world of unequal power.”
For nearly six decades, KOH has worked in diplomacy, international law, education, and public service. A lawyer and legal scholar by training, he has represented Singapore in international negotiations and held leadership roles in major multilateral forums.
Arguably, KOH’s most significant contribution to international diplomacy was his role in the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. As President of the Conference, he helped lead negotiations among more than 150 participating nations and, in 1982, guided the process towards the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which established an international framework for maritime rights and responsibilities.
In a statement on being conferred with the Ramon Magsaysay Award, TOMMY KOH said: “The Ramon Magsaysay Award is a very prestigious Award. Two of Singapore’s founding fathers, Dr. Goh Keng Swee and Mr. Lim Kim San, had won the Award. I feel humbled and happy to join their illustrious company.”
Beyond diplomacy, KOH has devoted his life to education, mentorship, and public service. Through his long association with the National University of Singapore and his work in public policy, he has helped shape generations of Singaporean leaders, scholars, and public servants, while maintaining a bridge between government, civil society, and the wider public. He has also been a strong advocate for the arts, heritage, and humanitarian causes.
Throughout his career, KOH has remained guided by a deep belief in moral principle and the common good. His leadership reflects a commitment to dialogue over coercion, consensus over confrontation, and the rule of law over the exercise of power. Whether in international negotiations or public life, he has consistently championed the idea that even smaller nations and vulnerable communities deserve recognition, respect, and a meaningful voice.
Completing the roster of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees are RUNA KHAN of Bangladesh, recognized for her decades-long work empowering marginalized communities living in the country’s remote and climate-vulnerable riverine regions, and BO KYI of Myanmar, a former political prisoner and human rights advocate whose work has given voice to political prisoners and survivors of torture while advancing accountability, justice, and human rights.
The formal presentation of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awards will take place during the 68th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, Philippines at 4:30 PM on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
For more information on the 68th Ramon Magsaysay Awards and the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, visit www.rmaward.asia and the Ramon Magsaysay Award’s official social media accounts.