Myrna Ydwina Xialea A. Pelayo
IN A WORLD often divided by borders, conflict, and inequality, the call for a world where everyone has a place takes shape through those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Carrying this year’s theme, “A World for All,” the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation (RMAF) honored Tommy Koh of Singapore, Runa Khan of Bangladesh, and Bo Kyi of Myanmar as the 2026 recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award on August 31.
For decades, the RMAF has recognized individuals whose work reflects the greatness of spirit and transformative leadership that the award seeks to uphold. As a Manila based nonprofit organization, the foundation administers the Ramon Magsaysay Award, regarded as Asia’s premier prize and highest honor, which is presented annually on August 31 in commemoration of the birth anniversary of former President Ramon Magsaysay. This year’s three awardees represent different fields and communities across Asia, yet their work converges on a shared commitment to creating a society where service, dignity, and opportunity extend beyond borders.
A friend to all
Runa Khan, a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, founded Friendship, a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to serving hard-to-reach and underserved communities. Established in 2002, the organization launched a hospital ship as its first project, paving the way for Friendship to develop a healthcare system that provides primary care and selected surgical procedures to river-based communities that are often difficult to reach from the mainland.
Her dedication to humanitarian service began in 1979, when she started teaching young children. Her commitment has since earned her numerous accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, recognizing her profound empathy and service to the communities she serves. In her acceptance speech, she said, “there is no leader who walks alone, so it is an honor for me to receive this on behalf of the unaddressed communities, who allow us to walk beside them,” emphasizing that her journey is not hers alone, but one built alongside the communities she serves.
Wings against the bars
A former political prisoner who was imprisoned in 1988 following Myanmar’s pro-democracy demonstration, Bo Kyi co-founded the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in 2000, providing support to detainees and their families while documenting human rights abuses under military rule. Through its work, AAPP has helped draw international attention to the plight of political prisoners, ensuring that their stories and sacrifices are not forgotten. Bo’s lifelong pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice earned him recognition from the RMAF Board of Trustees.
“I dedicate this award to the Burmese people fighting injustice, especially the political prisoners who continue to stand strong behind bars,” Bo said upon receiving the recognition from the foundation. His continued commitment to honoring the courage and sacrifices of those imprisoned for their beliefs serves as a reminder that even behind bars, the pursuit of justice cannot be silenced.
Diplomacy with purpose
Tommy Koh, a Singaporean diplomat, lawyer, and legal scholar, has spent decades advancing international cooperation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He played a pivotal role in the negotiations that culminated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), leading more than 150 nations toward its adoption in 1982 and helping establish a framework for the equitable and peaceful use of the world’s oceans. Beyond diplomacy, he has also shaped generations of leaders through his work in academia, public policy, the arts, and civic institutions, reflecting his belief in dialogue, the rule of law, and international cooperation.
Tommy now joins the ranks of distinguished Singaporean Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, including Singapore’s founding father Dr. Goh Keng Swee, who received the award in 1972, and Mr. Lim Kim San, who was honored in 1965. The recognition places him among Singaporeans whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the country and the region, a distinction he welcomed with humility, saying he was “happy to join their illustrious company.” His recognition underscores a lifetime of using diplomacy not merely to represent his country, but to advance justice, cooperation, and human dignity across borders.
Across borders, cultures, and circumstances, this year’s awardees have shown that meaningful change begins with a commitment to serve others. Their work in diplomacy, humanitarian service, and the pursuit of justice reflects the spirit of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and its enduring recognition of leadership rooted in compassion and courage. As the RMAF honors their contributions in their respective field, their stories stand as a reminder that building a more just and inclusive world is a responsibility shared by all.