By Anietie Anii-Bassey
U.S. President Donald Trump is taking his previously modest peace initiative for Gaza and transforming it into a far-reaching international body with aspirations to influence global conflicts on a scale akin to a U.N. Security Council.
Originally conceived as a small coalition of world leaders tasked with overseeing a ceasefire plan in Gaza, the Board of Peace is now being promoted as a broader instrument for conflict resolution, with invitations extended to dozens of nations across multiple continents.
Trump is expected to provide more details about the initiative during a high-profile announcement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later this week. The precise structure and charter of the Board of Peace have not been publicly released, but a draft obtained by officials familiar with the matter indicates that much of the governing authority would reside with Trump himself.
According to the draft, a contribution of $1 billion would secure permanent membership for participating nations.
The expanded scope signals a shift in the U.S. approach to international diplomacy, extending far beyond Gaza.
In letters sent to prospective member nations last Friday, Trump described the initiative as a “bold new approach to resolving global conflict,” signaling ambitions to rival the U.N. Security Council, which has historically wielded the most authority over international peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
A draft charter of the Board, reviewed by diplomats and confirmed by U.S. officials, highlights the initiative’s goals of creating a more “nimble and effective international peace-building body” and securing “durable peace in regions where it has long been elusive.”
The document empowers the chairman of the board—Trump, according to current plans—to invite member states, cast tie-breaking votes, determine meeting schedules, and establish or dissolve subsidiary entities.
Funding for the Board is expected to come from member contributions, with three-year terms standard and the option for permanent membership for nations paying over $1 billion in the first year. The draft is reportedly still under active revision and could change before the official launch.
Countries around the world have already received invitations, and several have publicly agreed to participate, including the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina, and Belarus.
Other invitations have been sent to leaders from Paraguay, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Israel, India, Slovenia, Thailand, and the European Union’s executive arm.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is “studying the details” and will seek clarity in further discussions with the U.S., while Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been invited.
Israel has been approached to join as well, but the response remains uncertain. Officials in Jerusalem noted that the proposed makeup of the board, which includes Turkey—a longstanding regional rival—was not coordinated with the Israeli government and could conflict with Israel’s policy objectives.
Criticism from Israel’s far-right finance minister underscores tensions over the initiative, with some officials arguing that Israel should assume unilateral responsibility for Gaza’s future.
Several traditional U.S. allies, meanwhile, have declined participation. France has publicly rejected the idea of the Board replacing existing international institutions, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stating that while France supports the U.S. peace plan, it does not endorse creating a parallel organization.
Trump responded to the rejection with characteristic bluntness, suggesting in remarks to reporters that French President Emmanuel Macron’s absence was inconsequential and joking about imposing tariffs on French wine and champagne.
To oversee operations, the White House announced the formation of an executive board tasked with implementing the vision of the Board of Peace.
Members include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s senior envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
In addition, a Gaza Executive Board will manage implementation of the ceasefire and follow-up measures, including deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas, and rebuilding Gaza’s war-torn infrastructure.
Nickolay Mladenov, former Bulgarian politician and former U.N. Middle East envoy, will serve as the board’s on-the-ground representative, with additional members including representatives from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Israel, and the Netherlands.
The board is also tasked with supervising a newly formed committee of Palestinian technocrats responsible for running Gaza’s daily affairs.
As the Trump administration moves to expand the initiative, questions remain about how nations will respond to invitations and how the board will balance its ambitious goals with existing international structures.
Diplomats are watching closely to see whether the Board of Peace can evolve into a genuine force for conflict resolution or if it will remain primarily a U.S.-driven diplomatic project.
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