Autumn settles over Oslo, and the world’s eyes turn once again toward the Norwegian capital. It is October 10, 2025, the day the Norwegian Nobel Committee announces the most talked-about peace award in the world. The Nobel Peace Prize, established according to the will of Alfred Nobel, has long been more than just a medal and a cheque.
This year, the buzz is louder than ever. A record 338 names; 244 individuals and 94 organizations have been nominated. While the committee keeps the nominations secret, lawmakers, academics, and activists from around the world often reveal their choices.
From presidents to prisoners, tech billionaires to activists, the 2025 list reads like a reflection of a world in turmoil, and of people trying to bring order to the chaos.
Donald Trump’s return to the global stage
Perhaps no name has caused as much debate as that of US President Donald Trump. Once again, his name appears among the nominees. And, as always, he divides opinions sharply.
Supporters of Trump’s nomination argue that few leaders have reshaped the geopolitical landscape quite like him. His backers credit him with a long list of peace efforts, including the historic Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab nations, his mediation during the brief but tense 2025 India-Pakistan standoff, and even the recent ceasefire efforts involving Israel and Iran.
Trump’s admirers point to his ability to bring rivals to the negotiating table, even when formal diplomacy had failed. In their view, he has proven that bold, unconventional moves and can sometimes achieve what traditional diplomacy cannot. Several governments, including Israel, Pakistan, and Argentina, have supported his nomination, praising his “extraordinary leadership” and “strategic brilliance”.
But his critics are far from silent. For them, Trump’s foreign policy legacy is complicated, marred by chaos and confrontation. They argue that his approach often blurred the line between diplomacy and drama. To them, nominating Trump for the world’s top peace prize feels like rewarding political theatre rather than genuine peacebuilding.
Elon Musk: The tech titan
Another surprising nomination this year is that of Elon Musk. The Tesla and SpaceX chief is cited for his “commitment to the fundamental human right to freedom of expression.” His nomination, backed by Slovenian politician Branko Grims, highlights Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter).
Yet, just like Trump, Musk’s nomination has sparked fierce debate. Critics accuse him of spreading misinformation and chaos in the name of freedom. They argue that his policies on social media have allowed hate speech and conspiracy theories to flourish.
The Palestinian voices of pain and hope
Among the nominees, the strongest emotional resonance perhaps comes from Palestine. In a year of devastating conflict, several Palestinian names stand as symbols of endurance and resistance.
Issa Amro, a long-time activist from Hebron, is nominated for his tireless fight to protect basic human rights under Israeli occupation. For years, Amro has faced arrests, violence, and international pressure, yet continues to advocate non-violent resistance. His supporters describe him as a “living example of peace under pressure.”
Another powerful name is Mazin Qumsiyeh, known for his “Wheels of Justice” tour and his advocacy for one democratic state in Israel-Palestine. His nomination represents decades of activism rooted in dialogue, justice, and coexistence.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking nomination is that of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl whose death during the Gaza war earlier this year became a global symbol of the suffering of children in conflict. Her name is put forward “to honor every Palestinian child whose life has been stolen by war and genocide.”
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Alongside individuals, Palestinian women’s organizations like Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace have also been recognized. These grassroots groups are uniting mothers, sisters, and daughters from both sides of the divide, Israeli and Palestinian, to demand an end to violence.
If the committee chooses one of these Palestinian nominees, it would be both a tribute to human resilience and a message to the world, that peace is not just about treaties and leaders, but about survival, compassion, and the everyday fight for dignity.
Women on the frontlines of peace
Women continue to be at the heart of many peace efforts this year. From Kosovo to Mexico, from Hong Kong to Italy, their courage stands out. Feride Rushiti of Kosovo, who leads the Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Survivors, is nominated for her work helping victims of war rebuild their lives.
Porpora Marcasciano, an Italian activist, has spent five decades fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and social equality. Her supporters call her nomination a tribute to the broader struggle for dignity and inclusion.
Meanwhile, Chow Hang-tung, the human rights lawyer from Hong Kong who was imprisoned for commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre, represents the growing global movement for freedom of expression. Her work reminds the world that peace cannot exist without liberty.
Asia’s voices for justice and democracy
From Pakistan to Malaysia, Asia too has a strong presence in this year’s nominations. Pakistani activist Mahrang Baloch has drawn attention for her fight against enforced disappearances and state violence in Balochistan. Her nomination, say observers, brings long-overdue recognition to one of South Asia’s most neglected human rights crises.
Another nominee, Imran Khan (former Prime Minister of Pakistan) is a ‘symbol of civilian resistance and peace through dialogue’ according to his supporters.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is also on the list, praised for promoting regional harmony and dialogue through diplomacy rather than coercion.
Artists, thinkers, unlikely dreamers
Not all nominees are politicians or activists. Some come from the world of art and ideas. Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, a pioneer of the “arte povera” movement, has been nominated for promoting peace through cultural transformation. His art, which emphasizes collective responsibility, has influenced generations of artists and thinkers.
Russian musicians Noize MC and Monetochka are also on the list for using their music to speak out against war and injustice. Their songs, often banned in Russia, have become anthems for a new generation of free thinkers.
These artistic nominations remind us that art has always played a quiet but powerful role in the fight for peace shaping hearts even when politics cannot change minds.
Organizations standing up for humanity
Among the 94 nominated organizations are some familiar and some unexpected names. The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, is being considered for its efforts to uphold international law even when it challenges powerful nations. The court’s growing investigations into war crimes in Gaza and Ukraine have drawn both praise and criticism, but few deny its importance in defining justice on a global scale.
Another nominee, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum from Israel, has been recognized for its efforts to keep attention on civilians captured during conflicts. The group’s campaign has been described as “a model of humanitarian advocacy.”
In Sudan, local Emergency Response Rooms, volunteer groups formed in the midst of civil war, have earned nominations for their grassroots relief efforts. In one of the world’s most dangerous humanitarian crises, they stand as a symbol of community courage and resilience.
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Each year, the Nobel Peace Prize reflects the global mood and 2025 feels like a year of contradictions. War and conflict rage across continents, yet the nominations list shows humanity’s endless hope for reconciliation.
When Alfred Nobel wrote his will in 1895, he said the Peace Prize should go to the person or organization that has done “the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” More than a century later, his words remain hauntingly relevant.
Speculation is at its peak. Some say the committee may lean toward a humanitarian choice, perhaps a Palestinian activist or organization, given the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Others think it may go to an international institution like the ICC, to reaffirm the rule of law in a time of rising global violence.
And then there are those who whisper about a dramatic, headline-grabbing choice: a Trump or a Musk.