Watne Frydnes takes over from Berit Reiss-Andersen, who resigned at New Year’s after leading the committee since 2017.
Watne Frydnes has been secretary general of the Norwegian branch of the writer and freedom of expression organization Pen since October last year. In the years from 2011 to 2023, he was the general manager of Utøya, and he was responsible for the reconstruction of the island after the attack on 22 July. He also has a background from Doctors Without Borders.
The 39-year-old has been a member of the Nobel Committee since 2021.
The committee itself elects the chairman and deputy chairman. The Nobel Committee’s task is to nominate the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
New to the committee is Gry Larsen, who was the Labor Party’s candidate. She stepped in from the new year in the vacant place after Reiss-Andersen resigned. The other members are Asle Toje, Anne Enger and Kristin Clemet.
It is the Storting in plenary session that elects members to the Nobel Committee, based on recommendations from the party groups.
The members are elected by the Storting for a six-year term. Three deputies are elected for a three-year term, with the possibility of re-election.