Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize

The United Nations is accepting nominations for the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.

This prestigious honorary Prize acknowledges individuals who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity, by promoting the purposes and principles of the United Nations, while also honouring and paying homage to Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation.

The Prize is presented every five years to two individuals: one female and one male. Laureates will be selected by a United Nations committee chaired by the President of the UN General Assembly and comprised of representatives from six Member States.  The committee will also include five eminent individuals who will serve in an advisory capacity. The United Nations Department of Global Communications serves as the committee’s secretariat.

Online nominations for the prize will be accepted until 24 March 2025.

Written nominations for the Prize may be received from the following:

1) Governments of Member States and observer States of the United Nations;

2) Entities and intergovernmental organizations having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and work of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council;

3) Institutions of higher education, in particular universities and other educational establishments, which provide a programme of education beyond secondary education, grant post-secondary degrees and are approved and/or accredited as institutions of higher education by the competent authorities of Member States, as well as independent research centres and institutes that are engaged in dedicated service to humanity, the promotion of reconciliation and social cohesion and community development;

4) Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council;

5) Laureates of the Prize, unless they are currently serving on the Committee.

Laureates are expected to be announced in May 2025. The Prize presentation is expected to be held at the annual commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day at the UN Headquarters in New York, marked annually on 18 July.

Nominations can be made through https://bit.ly/2025Mandela.

Further information on the Statute, including on the nomination of candidates, eligibility criteria and the prize Committee can be found at:  https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/mandela_prize.shtml#statute