Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh wins Ramon Magsaysay Award

Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh, 88, has been awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, often considered Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. The foundation commended Prof Koh for his exemplary leadership in international diplomacy and his decades-long efforts to promote dialogue and peaceful resolutions among nations. He played a crucial role in the negotiations leading to 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.

Beyond his diplomatic achievements, Koh's contributions extended to academia, public policy, the arts, and civic institutions in Singapore and beyond, shaping generations of leaders. The Magsaysay Award Foundation also highlighted Koh's unwavering commitment to dialogue, the rule of law, and international cooperation, emphasizing how his actions have facilitated peaceful coexistence in a world of unequal power.

The Singapore-born diplomat served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 55 years, holding significant positions such as Singapore's permanent representative to the United Nations and ambassador to the US. Before retiring this month, he also served as MFA's Ambassador-at-Large. Prof Koh's legacy includes mentoring countless individuals in universities, policy institutes, museums, and through the lives he touched.

Through this award, Koh is the fourth Singaporean to receive the prestigious honor since its inception in 1957 in memory of Filipino President Ramon Magsaysay. Other recipients include Myanmar activist Bo Kyi, 61, and Bangladeshi teacher Runa Khan. Bo Kyi was recognized for his efforts to defend political prisoners and human dignity in Myanmar, while Khan was honored for her profound empathy for the poorest in her country, establishing an organization that provides essential services and promotes social justice.

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