Should there be a Nobel Peace Prize this year? Committee ponders amid global conflicts: Video

The Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Dan Smith expressed concerns, stating, "The truth is that the world is getting into a more risky and perilous situation day by day, and there needs to be a really clear call for action to turn things around."

The Nobel Prize announcements, scheduled for October 7 to 14, will highlight achievements that have made a positive impact on the world. 

However, with the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, famine in Sudan, and the worsening climate crisis, experts find it increasingly difficult to predict the Committee's choice for the prestigious Peace Prize, which will be revealed on October 11. 

Smith highlighted the worsening state of global peace, referencing multiple armed conflicts across Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan, which could lead to the worst war-induced famine in 40 years. He argued that, given the dire situation, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee might consider forgoing an award this year to emphasise the urgency for action. "We need more people and world leaders to wake up and realise that we are in an extremely dangerous situation," he told the AFP.

Olav Njølstad, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, acknowledged the current challenges but remained hopeful. "It's hard to be an optimist when you look around in the world today," he noted. 

Adding that "but when we look through the nominations, there are definitely people and organizations doing great work in favour of the values we believe in and for peace." He expressed confidence that a worthy candidate for the Peace Prize would emerge this year.

 The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five awards established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor, and arms manufacturer Alfred Nobel.