Nobel Peace Prize 2020: From WHO to Greta Thunberg, who is tipped to win?

Jacinda Ardern also thought to be in with chance for New Zealand’s Covid response

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, a contender for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, is pictured in Bristol, England, on 28 February, 2020. (AP)

In a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, the awarding of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize may offer the world some much-needed hope.

Ahead of Friday’s announcement from the Nobel Committee in Oslo, speculation is rife about who will win this year’s prestigious award.

Commentators and bookmakers have tipped a range of individuals and institutions, from climate activists to journalists to the World Health Organization (WHO).

As is customary, the candidates nominated this year will not be disclosed by the Nobel committee for another 50 years. For this reason, the Nobel Committee says on its website that the names which are discussed as contenders are “either sheer guesswork or information put out by the person or persons behind the nomination”.  

There are 318 candidates in contention for this year’s $1.1 million (£854,000) award, comprising 211 individuals and 107 organisations. This is the fourth-highest total ever, with the record standing at 376 since 2016.

Here are some of the contenders for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize:

Greta Thunberg

The Swedish environmental activist was strongly tipped to win last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, which ended up going to the Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed for his efforts to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.

Once more, the teenager is thought to be one of the favourites for the 2020 accolade.

Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, thinks she could win for her work in raising awareness about the climate emergency.

However, he thinks it would be better if an organisation and not an individual takes home the prize.

“I tend to think it would better if it went to a number of activists around the world, possibly including Greta Thunberg, but not by putting her on a pedestal by herself," Mr Smith said.

Jacinda Ardern 

Like Ms Thunberg, the New Zealand prime minister was thought to be a potential winner last year for her handling of the Christchurch terror attacks.

Ms Ardern has stood out this year for her handling of the pandemic, which has seen her receive praise from across the world.

She is the third most likely contender to win the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, according to Oddschecker, which collects odds from multiple bookmakers.

World Health Organization 

The WHO is considered a potential winner by some commentators for its role in leading the world’s response to the pandemic.

However, as all nominees had to be put forward before 1 February, it is unlikely that the Nobel Peace Prize recipient will be recognised for tackling the coronavirus.  

The WHO has also certainly had its detractors, with Mr Trump and others criticising it for its actions early in the outbreak.

Alexei Navalny

Although not as widely tipped as Ms Thunberg, Ms Ardern or the WHO, the Russian political opponent is considered a potential recipient of the accolade.

The Russian opposition figure recently left hospital in Berlin after being treated there for novichok poisoning. He alleges that Russian president Vladimir Putin was behind the attack. 

Committee to Protect Journalists 

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is a watchdog that defends the rights of journalists and promotes press freedom.

The CPJ was included on a shortlist of worthy contenders drawn up by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). The winners of the last two years were both included in this list. 

Mr Urdal, the head of PRIO, said it was a good moment to pick CPJ, as press freedoms are "being challenged across the world."

And further afield, Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, after the right-wing Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde put the US president forward, citing his work in establishing relations between Israel and the UAE. 

Regardless, Henrik Urdal, who is head of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), expressed his doubts about Mr Trump’s chances.

"The chance that he is going to get the prize is absolutely zero," Mr Urdal said.

Additional reporting from AP