Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." The Norwegian Nobel Committee highlighted his vision of a world free from nuclear weapons, his promotion of multilateral diplomacy, and his efforts to improve international relations—particularly with the Muslim world.

Key reasons for the award included Obama’s June 2009 speech in Cairo, where he called for a "new beginning" in U.S.-Muslim relations based on mutual respect, his support for nuclear nonproliferation, and his commitment to addressing climate change through international cooperation. The Committee also noted his early steps to shift U.S. foreign policy toward dialogue and engagement, including plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Obama, who had been in office for less than nine months when the prize was announced, said he accepted it as a "call to action" rather than a recognition of accomplishments. He donated the full prize money—about $1.4 million—to charities supporting education, veterans, and disaster relief.

The decision sparked debate, with some viewing it as premature, while others saw it as encouragement for Obama’s diplomatic vision. He is the fourth U.S. president to win the prize, after Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter.