BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
President Donald Trump is seeking to revive momentum behind his proposed “Board of Peace” with a high-profile unveiling at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, aiming to refocus international attention on an initiative that has been eclipsed in recent days by his confrontational rhetoric over Greenland and a subsequent retreat from those threats.
The concept, initially framed as a limited mechanism to oversee and safeguard a ceasefire in Gaza, has expanded into a far-reaching vision that Trump now portrays as a potential alternative to existing international institutions. That evolution has raised questions among traditional U.S. allies, several of whom have opted not to participate, citing concerns about the board’s mandate, legitimacy, and membership.
The White House described Thursday’s event as a “charter announcement” to be held on the sidelines of the Davos gathering in the Swiss Alps. Trump is expected to deliver opening remarks alongside senior members of his administration and leaders from a diverse group of countries that have agreed to join the project.
“We have a lot of great people that want to join,” Trump said Wednesday during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, whose country has confirmed its participation. Trump characterized the initiative as unparalleled in stature, calling it “the most prestigious board ever formed.”
Those expected to attend include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, who has played a central role in several sensitive diplomatic efforts for the administration. Foreign leaders and senior diplomats slated to be present include Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev; Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan; Paraguayan President Santiago Peña; and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, both viewed as political allies of Trump, are also expected, along with the heads of several sovereign wealth funds.
According to a senior administration official speaking under conditions set by the White House, approximately 35 countries have agreed to sign on, while invitations were extended to about 60 nations. Trump has said additional governments have expressed interest but require parliamentary approval before formally joining.
Despite those claims, notable absences underscore the controversy surrounding the initiative. Trump has openly floated the idea that the Board of Peace could assume roles currently held by the United Nations and has even suggested it might one day render the world body obsolete. That rhetoric has unsettled allies who view the U.N., despite its flaws, as central to the postwar international order.
Russia has not committed, with President Vladimir Putin saying Moscow is still consulting with strategic partners. Putin is scheduled to host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow on Thursday and, according to the Kremlin, will also meet with Witkoff and Kushner later in the day. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin “highly values peacemaking efforts by President Donald Trump and his team” and plans to discuss a proposal to contribute $1 billion to the Board of Peace for humanitarian purposes, contingent on U.S. action to unblock the funds.
The inclusion of Putin and other authoritarian leaders has drawn sharp criticism. Trump has defended the approach, arguing that influence matters more than ideology. “I want everybody who’s powerful,” he said. “These are people that get the job done.”
Britain has publicly declined to take part. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the United Kingdom would not be a signatory, citing concerns about the legal and political implications of the initiative and questioning the credibility of a peace body that includes Putin while the war in Ukraine continues.
Other European governments have followed suit. France, Norway, and Sweden have all indicated they will not participate, with French officials stressing support for peace efforts in Gaza but warning against any attempt to supplant the United Nations as the primary forum for conflict resolution. Slovenia’s prime minister, Robert Golob, said it was not yet time to accept the invitation, pointing to worries that the board’s broad mandate could undermine the international system rooted in the U.N. Charter.
Canada, Ukraine, China, and the European Union’s executive arm have not publicly announced their positions. While Trump’s decision to abandon threatened tariffs tied to Greenland may ease some diplomatic friction, skepticism remains widespread.
The Board of Peace traces its origins to Trump’s 20-point plan for a Gaza ceasefire, a framework that received endorsement from the U.N. Security Council. Invitations sent ahead of Davos suggest the panel’s scope would extend well beyond Gaza, a prospect that has intensified debate over its purpose and authority.
Trump received a boost this week when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to join, reversing earlier criticism from his office about the composition of the body overseeing Gaza. Still, conditions on the ground remain dire. Months into the ceasefire, Gaza’s more than two million residents continue to face a severe humanitarian crisis, and sporadic violence persists.
A central challenge remains the disarmament of Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and has rejected calls to lay down its weapons. Israel has described that demand as non-negotiable. Trump said his administration expects clarity within weeks on whether Hamas will comply, issuing a stark warning if it does not.
The president’s broader peace push unfolds against a volatile regional backdrop. Earlier this month, Trump threatened military action against Iran following a violent crackdown on large-scale protests. He has since signaled restraint after receiving assurances that planned mass executions would not proceed. Trump has argued that his hardline approach toward Tehran, including last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, was instrumental in securing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, citing Iran’s longstanding support for Hamas.
Trump is also expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos following the Board of Peace announcement. Despite continued efforts, the administration has struggled to bring Kyiv and Moscow to an agreement to end their nearly four-year war. On Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration with both leaders while insisting a deal remains within reach, underscoring the high stakes as he seeks to position his proposed board as a new centerpiece of global diplomacy.
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