Navi Pillay wins the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the South African jurist for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The committee announced the award to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay in Oslo on Friday. She served as a judge at the International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2008 and as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.

A total of 287 candidates, including 79 organizations, were nominated for this year’s prize. Names of nominees and details of deliberations remain confidential for 50 years.

The 2025 laureate was Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. In January 2026, she gave her medal to Donald Trump, but the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that the physical medal can be transferred while laureate status cannot. This year’s prize went to Pillay.

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded since 1901. The ceremony takes place in Oslo on December 10. The 2026 monetary award is 12 million Swedish kronor.