This year, the spotlight is on five of Norway’s Nobel Committee members, who could determine whether United States President Donald Trump secures the much-coveted Nobel Peace Prize 2025. Established under the will of Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Committee awards the prize to the individual or group that has contributed most effectively to promoting international fraternity, reducing standing armies, or advancing peace congresses.
5 Nobel Committee Members
Jorgen Watne Frydnes
The current committee is chaired by Jorgen Watne Frydnes, 41, the youngest-ever chair in the committee’s history. Appointed in 2021, Frydnes has a strong background in human rights advocacy, having served as secretary-general of PEN Norway and worked with NGOs such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. Though officially non-political, he supports Norway’s Labour Party and played a key role in rebuilding Utøya after the tragic 2011 massacre.
Asle Toje
Asle Toje, 51, serves as vice-chair. A conservative, he was previously research director at the Norwegian Nobel Institute and has authored works on international relations, including The European Union as a Small Power: After the Post-Cold War. He has been a committee member since 2018 and was reappointed for 2024–2029.
Anne Enger
Anne Enger, 75, has been a member since 2018 and reappointed through 2026. Initially trained as a nurse, she transitioned to politics with Norway’s Centre Party and has served as acting prime minister in 1998. Enger has also led anti-abortion campaigns and served as the county governor of Østfold.
Kristin Clemet
Kristin Clemet, 68, appointed in 2021, is an economist and politician from Norway’s Conservative Party. She has advised former prime ministers and served as minister of education from 2001 to 2005.
Gry Larsen
Gry Larsen, 49, former Labour state secretary and head of CARE Norway, advocates for global women’s rights. She has been outspoken against Trump’s foreign aid cuts and was appointed for 2024–2029.
Nomination Criteria
According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, a nomination is valid only if submitted by someone who falls into one of the following categories. Personal applications for the award are not accepted:
- Members of national assemblies or national governments (cabinet members/ministers) of sovereign states, as well as current heads of state.
- Members of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
- Members of l’Institut de Droit International.
- Members of the International Board of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
- University professors, professors emeriti, and associate professors in history, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology, or religion; university rectors and university directors (or their equivalents); directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes.
- Individuals who have previously been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Members of the main board or equivalent of organizations that have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Current and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (proposals by current members must be submitted no later than the first committee meeting after 1 February).
- Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Unless otherwise specified, the term ‘members’ refers to current (sitting) members.
