The winner of the prestigious 2025 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced tomorrow, ending months of global speculation. Experts generally concur that US President Donald Trump is not in the running this year, with the focus instead going to activists and organizations tackling a record number of international conflicts, despite his repeated claims that he deserves the honor.
Will Donald Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Despite his own assertions of having solved “eight conflicts,” including his often-repeated claim of brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire, President Donald Trump is not expected to be the laureate. Peter Wallensteen, a respected Swedish professor of international affairs, stated plainly, “No, it will not be Trump this year.” He suggested that while the committee might reconsider in the future once “the dust settles,” the choice for the 2025 prize will almost certainly be someone else, dismissing Trump’s own trumpet-blowing.
Who are the Top Contenders for the Prize?
Although there are 338 people and organizations nominated, the field is wide, but some well-known names have stood out as serious candidates. The latest developments of the committee and the current state of the world are reflected in these frontrunners. The speculated shortlist includes Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, a volunteer network aiding civilians in a brutal civil war, Yulia Navalnaya, who continues the political work of her late husband, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, a body renowned for its independent election monitoring across the globe.
What is the Backdrop for this Year’s Award?
The choice is made against a particularly bleak backdrop of the world. Armed conflicts have escalated to an unprecedented level; the number of state-involved wars in 2024 was the greatest since records have been kept since 1946. The committee’s choice will be made amidst ongoing major crises, including the full-blown conflict between Israel and Iran, missile exchanges between India and Pakistan, and a significant border clash between Thailand and Cambodia. This context makes the award particularly significant.
Could the Committee Choose a Surprising Candidate?
History shows the Nobel Committee often delivers surprises. Experts note a recent trend of honoring “micro” efforts aligned with classic peace ideals like human rights and press freedom. Halvard Leira, director at the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs, said his “hunch” is for a “not that controversial candidate this year.” Others suggest the prize could be used to reaffirm support for the global order, potentially honoring UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres or a UN agency like the UNHCR. Global justice bodies like the International Criminal Court or press watchdogs like Reporters Without Borders are also seen as potential, if less expected, winners.
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When will the winner be announced?
The suspense ends tomorrow. The 2025 laureate will be revealed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo on Friday at 11 a.m. local time (0900 GMT or 2:30 pm IST). In honor of frequently unsung heroes of peace and diplomacy, this announcement will reveal whether the prize goes to a highly anticipated front-runner or continues its tradition of delivering a stunning surprise to the world.
Disclaimer: The list of nominees is sealed for 50 years, all contenders are based on speculation from experts and diplomats.
