The Nobel Peace Prize winner will be revealed on Friday, following a potential Gaza agreement that may have come too late for US President Donald Trump to be considered for the coveted award he desires. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is set to announce the recipient of the Peace Prize, the most eagerly awaited of the esteemed Nobels, at 11:00 am (0900 GMT) in Oslo.
The announcement comes shortly after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release pact, potentially signaling the end of the lengthy conflict in Gaza. Despite Trump’s perceived influence in facilitating the breakthrough, it is unlikely that the Nobel Committee will factor in this recent development in their decision-making process.
According to historian and Peace Prize expert Asle Sveen, the Gaza deal will not impact the selection of the 2025 laureate as the committee had already finalized their decision during their last meeting on Monday. Sveen expressed certainty that Trump will not be awarded the prize this year, citing the President’s support for Israeli actions in Gaza and his claims of resolving multiple conflicts as overstated.
While Trump has repeatedly asserted his eligibility for the Nobel Prize due to his involvement in conflict resolutions, experts in Oslo believe his chances are slim. They point out that his “America First” policies contradict the principles underlying the Peace Prize as outlined by Alfred Nobel in 1895.
The speculation surrounding this year’s recipient includes 338 individuals and organizations who have been nominated, with the names remaining confidential for half a century. Among the potential candidates are Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, Yulia Navalnaya, and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights election watchdog.
The Nobel Committee might opt for a laureate that challenges the current geopolitical climate, potentially risking criticism from the US. Likely candidates could include United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN bodies like the UNHCR or UNRWA, or entities advocating for press freedoms such as the Committee to Protect Journalists or Reporters Without Borders.
Nobel Institute spokesperson Erik Aasheim confirmed that a laureate will be chosen this year, dispelling doubts that the prize might not be awarded due to the challenging global situation. In the previous year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group advocating against nuclear weapons.
The Nobel Peace Prize encompasses a diploma, a gold medal, and a $1.2 million cash award. Following the announcement of prizes in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, and peace this week, the 2025 Nobel season will conclude with the economics prize presentation on Monday.