As the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize approaches, all eyes are on the five members of Norway’s Nobel Committee, who could determine if United States President Donald Trump receives the prestigious award this year. Established under the will of Alfred Nobel, the committee is responsible for selecting the laureate who has made significant contributions towards fraternity between nations, the reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace.
The Nobel Committee was founded by the Norwegian Storting (Parliament) in 1897, with the mandate to award the Nobel Peace Prize. Each member is elected for a six-year term and can be re-elected. The committee members are chosen to reflect the political diversity of Norway’s Parliament, but they cannot be current members of the parliament themselves. Upon election, the committee selects its own leadership, including a chair and deputy chair, while the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute acts as the secretary.
This year’s Nobel Committee consists of five influential members:
At just 41 years old, Frydnes is the youngest chair of the Nobel Committee, having been appointed in 2021. A human rights advocate with a history of involvement in organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and PEN Norway, Frydnes is known for his ties to Norway’s ruling Labour Party. He has played a pivotal role in rebuilding the island of Utoeya, a site of a tragic massacre in 2011.
Vice chair Asle Toje, aged 51, has been part of the committee since 2018 and was reappointed for the term from 2024 to 2029. A conservative thinker and former research director at the Norwegian Nobel Institute, Toje has authored works discussing Europe’s role in global politics.
At 75, Enger has been a committee member since 2018 and has also been reappointed. Her career spans nursing and politics, where she supported Norway’s Centre Party. Enger has held significant positions, including serving as chief of the Ministry of Culture and acting prime minister.
Clemet, 68, is a member of the committee since 2021, representing Norway’s Conservative Party, Hoyre. With a background in economics, she has previously served as an adviser to a former prime minister and as the Minister of Education.
Larsen, age 49, is recognized for her advocacy for global women’s rights as the head of CARE Norway. A former state secretary in the Foreign Ministry, she has openly criticized Trump’s policies regarding foreign aid.
Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize closed on January 31, with the decision-making process surrounded in secrecy. Although the committee receives nominations from various global leaders and organizations, the names of the nominees remain confidential until the winner is announced. The committee prepares a shortlist of candidates by March and reveals the winner in October.
The members' past voting patterns indicate their diverse perspectives. Under Frydnes’ leadership, the committee has awarded the prize to notable figures such as Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their commitment to freedom of expression, and Narges Mohammadi for her fight for women’s rights in Iran. However, some members have faced scrutiny due to past controversial decisions, such as awarding the prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019, who later faced criticism for military actions in Tigray.
Trump has openly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming he has resolved multiple conflicts. He has reportedly contacted Norwegian diplomats to advocate for his nomination. However, Frydnes emphasized the committee's independence from external pressures, stating that their decisions are made based on consensus and rigorous discussion.
This year’s deliberations come amid ongoing global conflicts and pressures surrounding Trump’s potential win. Within Norway, there are concerns about the repercussions if Trump does not receive the award, especially following the U.S. administration's imposition of tariffs on Norwegian exports. The government has reiterated that it does not interfere with the Nobel Committee's decisions.
The Nobel Committee has received a record 338 nominations this year, including individuals and organizations. Among potential contenders are Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, which provide humanitarian support amid conflict, and Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Analysts predict that awards to humanitarian initiatives could highlight the essential role of grassroots efforts in achieving peace.
As the world awaits the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the decisions of the five committee members will undoubtedly shape the narrative surrounding peace and diplomacy in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.
