South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay awarded 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work promoting human rights, peace and international law.

The 85-year-old former United Nations human rights chief was praised for a career spanning legal advocacy in apartheid-era South Africa and service in international courts. Norwegian Nobel Committee Chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said Pillay had “significantly enlarged the scope and impact of international law”. The committee also praised her “firm moral compass”.

The announcement follows repeated calls by US President Donald Trump for recognition of his efforts to resolve international conflicts. Trump has said he “earned” the prize and claimed during a United Nations speech in September last year to have “ended seven un-endable wars”.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for promoting democratic rights in Venezuela. According to the report, Machado later gave her medal to Trump as a gesture. The Nobel Committee said the honour itself could not be transferred.

The Nobel Peace Prize was established through the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel. His criteria recognise those who have “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”.

Recipients receive a gold medal, a diploma and prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor, approximately £860,000. The winner is selected by a five-member committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. Nominations close in January, with the recipient announced in October.