Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Norwegian Nobel Committee especially valued his vision and work toward a world free of nuclear weapons. They recognized that Obama had created a new climate in international politics by emphasizing multilateral diplomacy, dialogue, and negotiations as tools to resolve conflicts. He also initiated efforts to reset US-Russian relations, promote nuclear disarmament, and address global challenges such as climate change. His Cairo speech aimed at improving US relations with the Muslim world and promoting peace in the Middle East was a significant factor. The award was seen as both recognition of his early accomplishments and an encouragement to continue pursuing these goals.
The Nobel Committee's decision was hopeful in nature, awarding Obama early in his presidency to support his vision and efforts in global diplomacy and peace rather than for a lifetime of achievements. This choice attracted some criticism, as much of his presidency's concrete impact was still in development at the time.