Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized his vision and work toward a world without nuclear weapons, his promotion of multilateral diplomacy with the United Nations and other institutions, and his preference for dialogue and negotiations as tools for resolving difficult international conflicts. The committee also highlighted Obama's efforts to address climate challenges, support democracy and human rights, and create a new climate in international politics that gave hope for a better future. His influential speech in Cairo aimed at improving US relations with the Muslim world and his plans for Iraq troop withdrawals were part of the reasons for the award. The prize recognized what he had already done in his first year as President to foster peace and cooperation globally, and was also intended to encourage his continued efforts in these areas.
