AFP, Oslo

The Norwegian Nobel Institute yesterday announced that 287 nominations had been submitted for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The list comprised 208 individuals and 79 organisations, it said, without identifying them.

While fewer than the record 376 registered in 2016, the institute said the number remained “consistently high”.

“In an increasingly conflictual world, there is no lack of candidates whose principled commitment and innovative action points towards a brighter future,” the institute said in a statement.

In line with Nobel statutes, the identity of the nominees is kept confidential for 50 years.

But those eligible to nominate -- including former laureates, lawmakers and cabinet ministers from any country in the world, and some university professors -- are free to reveal the name of the person or organisation they have proposed.

Some of the names disclosed for this year’s prize, to be announced on October 9, are Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and international institutions like the International Criminal Court.

Nominations have to be submitted by January 31 each year, but committee members can add names to the list of candidates during their first meeting after the deadline, which was held on February 26, the institute said.