People are paying attention to the list of nominees for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize since it is so diverse and has political overtones. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, US President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are all up for the award. Also nominated are groups of journalists and humanitarian organizations.
The proposal that Mr. Elon Musk, for his consistent support for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and thus for peace, receives the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, was successfully submitted today. Sincere thanks to all the co-proposers and everyone who helped with this… pic.twitter.com/QdI4fnbzdU
— Branko Grims (@BrankoGrimsX1) January 29, 2025
Every year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee gets hundreds of nominations from competent nominators. These nominators come from national assemblies, governments, and some international organizations. The Committee said that it had received 338 nominations for 2025, which included 244 people and 94 groups. After eight months of careful evaluation, the ultimate choice has been made.
Imran Khan: “For Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan”
The Pakistan World Alliance, a group that supports Norway’s Partiet Sentrum, has put forward former Prime Minister Imran Khan as a candidate. Khan is currently serving a prison sentence. The group said he was working for “human rights and democracy in Pakistan.”
Since August 2023, Khan, who started the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been in jail. He was given a 14-year prison sentence in January 2024 for allegedly abusing his power and being corrupt, but some of his earlier convictions were thrown out. Khan, who lost power in April 2022 after a no-confidence vote, says that the charges are politically motivated.
Donald Trump: Nominated for “De-escalating the India-Pakistan Conflict”
Many world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, have reportedly nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump often says he wants to win the prize.
Munir’s nomination praises Trump for his “efforts to calm the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict through dialogue and backchannel diplomacy, while stressing restraint and regional stability.”
When asked if he thought he would win, Trump said, “Of course not.” They’ll award it to a person who didn’t do anything.
Elon Musk: For “Defending Free Speech”
Branko Grims, a member of the European Parliament, nominated Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Grims said that Musk was “consistently committed to the fundamental human right to freedom of expression, and thus to peace.”
Grims sent an email from the Norwegian Nobel Committee confirming that they had received the nomination.
Pope Francis: Honored After Death for “Promoting Global Fraternity”
Norwegian legislator Dag Inge Ulstein nominated Pope Francis, who died in April 2025, for his “unstoppable contribution to promoting binding and comprehensive peace and fraternity between peoples and states.”
The late pope, who was known for his work on climate change and bringing people together, was also nominated in 2022.
Anwar Ibrahim: The Man Who Brought About the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire
Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, was nominated for his work as a mediator in getting Thailand and Cambodia to agree to a “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in July 2025. The truce came after emergency peace talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Supporters and political analysts have praised Anwar’s long-standing dedication to diplomacy and dispute resolution as a major reason for his selection.
A Prize That Shows How Divided the World Is
This year’s nominees, who include international leaders, business tycoons, and peacemakers, show how the Nobel Peace Prize still reflects the globe’s political divides and changing ideas of peace.
Later this month, the Norwegian Nobel Committee will officially announce the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.