Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh wins Ramon Magsaysay Award

Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh, 88, has been honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, recognized as Asia's Nobel Prize. The award foundation praised Koh for his exemplary leadership in international diplomacy and his dedication to advancing dialogue and peaceful resolutions among nations. Koh played a pivotal role in negotiations that resulted in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which established a framework for the equitable and peaceful use of the world's oceans.

Apart from his diplomatic work, Koh also made significant contributions to academia, public policy, the arts, and civic institutions in Singapore and beyond. This comprehensive involvement has shaped generations of leaders, scholars, and public servants, leaving a lasting legacy. Koh served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 55 years, holding positions such as Singapore's permanent representative to the United Nations and ambassador to the US.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation noted that Koh's work extended beyond diplomacy, emphasizing his rule of law and international cooperation principles. He has courageously spoken out for what he believes in, making peaceful coexistence possible in a world of unequal power.

Koh is the fourth Singaporean to receive the award since its establishment in 1957, honoring the memory of Filipino President Ramon Magsaysay. The other two winners are Myanmar activist Bo Kyi and Bangladeshi teacher Runa Khan. Bo Kyi was recognized for his efforts to defend political prisoners and human dignity in Myanmar, while Khan received the award for her profound empathy for the poorest in her country.

The winners will be recognized on November 15 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila, where they will receive a medallion, an inscribed certificate, and an undisclosed cash prize.