Bangladeshi development activist Runa Khan receives Ramon Magsaysay Award

Bangladeshi development activist and founder-executive director of Friendship Runa Khan has received one of Asia's most prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award 2026. Receiving this award, known as Asia's Nobel, marks another important achievement for Bangladesh in the international arena.

On Monday (August 31), the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced the names of this year's award winners from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Along with Runa Khan, two other prominent individuals received this honor this year. They are Tommy Koh of Singapore and Bo Chi of Myanmar.

About Runa Khan

Runa Khan is the founder and executive director of Friendship, a non-governmental development organization in Bangladesh. She founded the organization in 2002.

Since its establishment, Friendship has been conducting various social development programs for the remote and disadvantaged communities of the country. The organization works to improve the quality of life and ensure a dignified life, especially for those who are difficult to reach.

Friendship's goal is to build a society and a world where every person—especially those in disadvantaged and remote areas—can live with dignity, hope, and equal opportunities.

Long-standing work for the disadvantaged

Friendship's activities work to address social problems, extreme poverty, inequality, injustice, and environmental crises. The organization prioritizes the needs and interests of the communities it serves.

More than two decades after its establishment, Friendship's core mission remains unchanged. As challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change continue to grow around the world, the importance of the organization's activities has increased.

Under the leadership of Runa Khan, Friendship has been working to provide various essential services to remote and disadvantaged communities for a long time.

Two more eminent personalities have received awards

Along with Runa Khan, Singaporean diplomat and international law expert Tommy Koh and Myanmar human rights activist Bo Chee have been honored with the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award.

The official activities of the 68th Ramon Magsaysay Award Festival have begun with the announcement of this year's awards.

The closing ceremony of the awards festival will be held on November 15 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, Philippines. The awards will be officially presented to the winners there.

What is the Ramon Magsaysay Award?

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is one of the most prestigious international awards in Asia. It is sometimes called the 'Nobel of Asia'.

The award is named after Ramon Magsaysay, the seventh President of the Philippines. He died in a tragic plane crash on March 17, 1957.

The same year, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation was established in his memory. The following year, in 1958, this award began to be given to individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions in various fields.

This award is given in recognition of contributions to the welfare of the people of Asia, positive changes in society, leadership, humanity and public service.

The names of the award winners are announced on their birthday

August 31 is Ramon Magsaysay's birthday. Every year, on the occasion of his birthday, the names of the winners of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for that year are announced from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The addition of Runa Khan from Bangladesh to this year's award announcement is considered a significant achievement in terms of international recognition of the country's development and social activities.