Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Nobel Committee Watches World Turmoil, Seeks New Paths to Peace
The people who choose the Nobel Peace Prize are watching how the world is changing.
The committee's secretary, Kristian Berg Harpviken, said some changes could threaten values the prize supports.
He said people who create new groups, plans, or ways of cooperating might help advance peace.
The committee will judge candidates by the goals Alfred Nobel wrote in his will.
Harpviken said he is not worried that the prize will lose its importance.
He is worried about where the world is heading.
The winner is due to be announced on Friday.
Norwegian Nobel Committee secretary Kristian Berg Harpviken said the committee is closely watching changes to the international order.
He said some international trends threaten values the Peace Prize has upheld throughout its history.
Harpviken said the committee may look for people building new institutions, initiatives, and ways of working that advance peace.
The committee's standard remains Alfred Nobel's will, which calls for efforts to promote fellowship among nations and peace.
The Peace Prize announcement is scheduled for Friday; Harpviken said he is worried about the world's direction, not the prize's relevance.
- Who
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee; its secretary, Kristian Berg Harpviken, discussed its work.
- What
- The committee is monitoring changes to the international order and considering ways people may advance peace.
- When
- Harpviken spoke on Monday; the Peace Prize announcement is scheduled for Friday.
- Where
- The interview location is not specified.
- Why
- The committee is watching changes because some international trends may threaten values upheld by the Peace Prize.
- Committee
- The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee
- Secretary
- Kristian Berg Harpviken prepares dossiers and joins deliberations but does not vote.
- Announcement
- Scheduled for Friday
- Award's origins
- Created under Alfred Nobel's 1895 will
- Award criteria
- Advancing fellowship among nations, reducing or abolishing standing armies, and establishing or promoting peace congresses
- Harpviken's concern
- He said he is worried about where the world is heading, not about the prize.