The Nobel Peace Prize is arguably the most prestigious prize in the world. It is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to persons or organizations for their efforts and actions to promote peace. Although the committee itself is independent, the prize unavoidably has a political impact and as such is often met with controversy, both regarding the individual laureates and the committee’s interpretation of Alfred Nobel’s will.
Based on their professional assessments, PRIO Directors have made it a tradition to offer their personal lists for the Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee bases its decision on valid nominations received by the 31 January deadline. Anyone can be nominated (and history has indeed presented us with a few rather dubious nominees, including Hitler), but the right to nominate is reserved for members of national assemblies and governments, current and former members of the Committee, Peace Prize laureates, professors of certain disciplines, directors of peace research and foreign policy institutes, and members of international courts. The five committee members have until their first meeting after the deadline to add nominations of their own. Henrik Urdal abstains from using his right to nominate given his active role in commenting on the prize. He has no association with the Nobel Institute or the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
The laureate will be announced in October.
For questions, requests for further information or interviews, please contact PRIO's Communication Director.
Henrik Urdal's 2025 Nobel Peace Prize List
- Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms
- Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar
- The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights & The Carter Centre
- The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
- The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court
Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms
The armed conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 has plunged the country into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Over 11 million people have been forcibly displaced since the start of the conflict and nearly half the Sudanese population are in need of aid. The international system has struggled to meet overwhelming humanitarian needs, prompting community-led, volunteer aid networks in Sudan to step in and provide lifesaving services to millions of women, men and children. One notable initiative is the Emergency Response Rooms, which offer medical care and other services to people affected by the conflict.
Operating in a decentralized structure, these groups deliver essential humanitarian assistance to communities in a highly complex conflict environment, with limited access to external resources and logistics. Volunteers often operate in insecure areas, facing threats of harassment and violence. Awarding this year’s Peace Prize to a deserving humanitarian initiative such as the Emergency Response Rooms would highlight the critical importance of access to lifesaving aid in times of conflict.
Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has been instrumental in mediating the Hamas-Israeli ceasefire reached in January 2025. Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Sheikh Mohammed would emphasize the crucial role regional actors can play in peace efforts.
Beyond the Hamas-Israeli ceasefire, Sheikh Mohammed has been at the forefront of Qatar's mediation efforts in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Under his leadership, Qatar facilitated critical US-Taliban talks, which represented a notable role in efforts to address the conflict in Afghanistan. Over the years, Qatar has built up a significant mediation capacity, and actively contributing to peace mediation efforts in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen and Ukraine. Since 2003, Qatar’s annual Doha Forum has served as a vital platform for promoting dialogue and diplomacy in the region.
While his contributions are notable, it is important to acknowledge that awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Sheikh Mohammed would not be without controversy, given the complex geopolitical dynamics and criticisms surrounding Qatar's foreign and domestic policies. Nonetheless, recognizing his contributions would underscore the importance of empowering regional actors in the pursuit of global peace, and send a signal that efforts by regional powers to engage seriously in peace mediation efforts are valued by the international community.
The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights & The Carter Centre
Democracy is under pressure around the world, with the rise of illiberal movements and authoritarian regimes. More of the world’s people are living in autocracies today than only a decade ago, and the number of countries democratizing is falling, according to democracy research from V-Dem. Even in established constitutional democracies, the integrity of democratic institutions cannot be taken for granted, as recent developments in South Korea have shown. Upholding the pillars of democracy is more important than ever before. Election observation is one important tool for strengthening democracy.
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observes elections throughout its 57 participating states. It also provides technical assistance to improve the legislative and administrative framework for elections in specific countries.
Another worthy candidate in this area is The Carter Center. A nonprofit organization established in 1982 by Nobel laureate and former US president, Jimmy Carter, the Center is dedicated to promoting basic human rights, alleviating human suffering and contributing to conflict resolution. As part of its commitment to freedom and democracy, The Carter Center has organized election observation in 125 elections in 40 countries.
The work of ODIHR and The Carter Center to ensure that elections are free and fair would make them timely recipients of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), founded in 1915 by over 1,000 suffragettes from 12 countries, including Norway, has been a tireless advocate for peace and disarmament. As one of the world's oldest peace organizations, WILPF has continuously tackled the root causes of conflict while championing global peace. It played a significant role in establishing the United Nations in 1945, and lobbying for nuclear disarmament as a key member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to WILPF would carry special significance this year, marking the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. In 2000, WILPF led the coalition that lobbied for and drafted this landmark resolution, recognizing the crucial role of women in peacebuilding.
In a world where women are often excluded from formal peace processes, WILPF's commitment to empowering women and amplifying their voices is more important than ever. Honoring WILPF with the Nobel Peace Prize would acknowledge its long and faithful service to peace, and highlight the significance of women-led peace initiatives.
The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court
The maintenance of an internationally recognized normative order, and in particular international law, is crucial for preventing and resolving conflict in an increasingly polarized world. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) promote peace through international law, similar to the peace congresses highlighted in Alfred Nobel's will.
Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, the ICJ settles legal disputes between states and advises on legal questions within the UN. With all 193 UN Member States party to its Statute, the ICJ is a globally accepted mechanism for dispute resolution. Notably, it ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza in January, and Russia to suspend military operations in Ukraine in March 2022.
The ICC, established by the Rome Statute in 2002, holds individuals accountable for crimes like genocide and war crimes. The ICC's efforts in bringing justice to victims anywhere in the world, have the potential to contribute significantly to global peace. Recognizing the ICC with the Nobel Peace Prize would highlight the importance of accountability and justice in achieving lasting peace, and the equal responsibility of all states and leaders to respect international law.
The ICJ and ICC would be deserving recipients of the 2025 Peace Prize for their role in fostering multilateral collaboration and holding those who breach internationally recognized norms to account.
