Professor Tommy Koh has been named a recipient of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award.  Regarded as Asia’s premier prize, the award recognizes Professor Koh for his exemplary leadership in international diplomacy and supporting international law and the rule of law.

Professor Koh’s distinguished career in Singapore’s foreign service spans over five decades, during which he made significant contributions to international law, diplomacy, and multilateral institutions. He played an important role in the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He chaired the negotiation at the 1992 Earth Summit. He served as the UN’s Special Envoy for Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia in 1993. He was also co-chair of the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Charter.

Professor Koh is the founding chairman of the NUS Centre for International Law. He is also the founding rector of the NUS Tembusu College and founding chairman of the National Arts Council. He was the Dean of the NUS Law School.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is managed by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), based in Manila, Philippines. Awardees are selected annually by the RMAF board of trustees.