Understanding the Nobel Peace Prize

The winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 10. Here is a look at how the award works:

Who Decides?

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, consisting of five individuals appointed by the Norwegian parliament, makes the decision. Members are frequently retired politicians, though not exclusively. The current committee is chaired by the head of the Norwegian branch of PEN International, an association dedicated to defending freedom of expression. Another member is an academic.

Norwegian political parties nominate these members, and their appointments reflect the current balance of power within Norway’s parliament.

Who Can Win?

The prize, according to the 1895 will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, should be awarded to the person “who has done the moast or best to advance fellowship among nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the establishment and promotion of peace congresses.”

Though, Kristian Berg Harpviken, the award committee’s secretary who prepares materials for the award body, explains the prize “needs to be placed in the current context.” He participates in deliberations but does not cast a vote.

“They will look at the world, see what is happening, what are the global trends, what are the main concerns, what are the most promising processes that we see,” he told Reuters.

“And processes here can mean anything from a specific peace process to a new type of international agreement that is under development or that has recently been adopted.”

Who Can Nominate?