UN, Rights Groups Eyed for Peace Prize

UN, Rights Groups Eyed for Peace Prize

Nobel panel may honor UN chief Guterres to defend global peace order.

If Not Trump, Then Who?

As the world waits for the announcement of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, one thing seems almost certain — it will not be Donald Trump, no matter how much he believes he deserves it. Yet, the question lingers in the air: if not Trump, then who?

The Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo will end the suspense on Friday at 11:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), when it reveals the laureate of one of the world’s most prestigious honors. The announcement will come at a time when the planet feels more fragile, divided, and uncertain than it has in decades.

The backdrop could hardly be bleaker. According to Sweden’s Uppsala University, the number of armed conflicts involving at least one state reached its highest level in 2024 since the institution began keeping records in 1946. From Ukraine to Sudan, Gaza to Myanmar, violence and instability continue to claim lives and uproot millions. The sense of peace — or even the hope of it — seems to be fading.

And yet, the Nobel Peace Prize has always carried a quiet defiance: the belief that even in dark times, individuals and institutions can stand up for humanity, dialogue, and dignity.

Trump’s Claim To The Prize

Donald Trump has often said he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for, in his words, “resolving eight conflicts.” During his presidency, he touted diplomatic overtures with North Korea, his push for the Abraham Accords in the Middle East, and his claims of de-escalating tensions in regions long torn by hostility.

But experts say that, for the Nobel Committee, Trump’s record may represent the opposite of peacebuilding. His years in power were marked by the United States’ withdrawal from international agreements and organizations — from the Paris climate accord to the World Health Organization. He launched trade wars against both rivals and allies, threatened to take Greenland from Denmark by force, and repeatedly undermined multilateral cooperation that has long defined global diplomacy.

At home, Trump’s use of the National Guard in American cities, his attacks on the media and academia, and his rhetoric on race and migration deepened divisions within the country. For a committee that prizes cooperation and dialogue, Trump’s style and policies are unlikely to inspire a nod this year.

The UN And Others In The Spotlight

So, who might win instead?

Many observers believe the Nobel Committee could use this year’s award to send a clear message — one reaffirming faith in the global order and multilateralism that Trump has so often criticized. That could mean honoring United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, or one of the UN’s humanitarian agencies such as the UNHCR (which aids refugees) or UNRWA (which supports Palestinian relief and development).

Such a choice would be symbolic. It would underline the committee’s commitment to international cooperation at a time when nationalism and isolationism are on the rise. Guterres, in particular, has spent much of his tenure urging nations to put aside rivalry and focus on humanity’s shared crises — from climate change to war, from hunger to displacement. His calm persistence and diplomatic tone have earned him quiet respect even among critics.

Alternatively, the committee could recognize organizations that fight for human rights and democracy amid repression. Groups documenting war crimes in Ukraine, or activists protecting women’s rights in Iran or Afghanistan, remain strong contenders.

A Year For Caution — Or Surprise

In 2024, the prize went to Nihon Hidankyo, Japan’s atomic bomb survivors’ organization, for its tireless advocacy against nuclear weapons. The committee’s decision was widely seen as a return to traditional peace themes — nonviolence, disarmament, and remembrance.

Some experts believe the Nobel panel may again choose a “not that controversial” recipient this year, seeking unity rather than debate. Others remind us that the Nobel Peace Prize has a long tradition of surprise. From Greta Thunberg’s nomination to the recognition of journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, the committee often defies prediction.

As Friday approaches, speculation will continue. But whoever wins, the award will once again remind the world that peace — elusive, fragile, and often imperfect — remains worth striving for. In an age of growing divisions and loud strongmen, perhaps the most courageous act of all is simply believing in cooperation, compassion, and truth.