President announces major U.S. funding pledge as more than 40 nations convene to discuss Gaza reconstruction and regional stability.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump on Feb. 19 announced a $10 billion U.S. commitment to the newly established Board of Peace during its first official meeting in Washington.
The gathering, held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, brought together heads of state and representatives from more than 40 nations and the European Union to discuss a U.S.-backed plan aimed at demilitarizing and rebuilding Gaza.
“This is the most prestigious board ever put together—and I’ve seen some great corporate boards,” Trump said. “It’s peanuts compared to this board.”
Opening the session, Trump emphasized cooperation among participating nations. “We work together to ensure a brighter future for the people of Gaza, the Middle East, and the entire world,” he said, adding that “there’s nothing more important than peace.”
He credited leaders from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait with collectively contributing more than $7 billion toward the initiative.
Trump formally launched the Board of Peace on Jan. 22 in Davos, Switzerland, signing its charter and establishing the organization to oversee the peace process between Israel and Hamas as well as address broader global conflicts. He will chair the board, which is tasked with supervising Gaza’s reconstruction, security arrangements, and transitional governance.
More than 20 member nations have pledged financial support and committed thousands of personnel for security operations in the Gaza Strip.
During a nearly 45-minute address, Trump referenced conflicts he said have ended since he took office and suggested the board’s mandate could expand in the future to support additional peace efforts worldwide.
Amid heightened tensions with Iran, Trump issued a warning to Tehran. “Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we do,” he said. “They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal.”
He told attendees they may learn within 10 days whether an agreement with Iran is possible. If not, he said, “bad things will happen.”
Trump also announced that Norway has agreed to host a future Board of Peace meeting. He said FIFA will help raise $75 million for Gaza-related projects, while the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is mobilizing $2 billion in humanitarian assistance. Japan will host a separate fundraising event.
The White House previously named several administration officials and international leaders to positions within the Board of Peace, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, adviser Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The executive board will provide strategic guidance, mobilize international resources, and oversee accountability during Gaza’s transition.
During his remarks, Trump referenced a recently reached peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia following decades of conflict. He recalled meeting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the Oval Office, describing them as “two tough cookies” and saying the negotiations were not easy.
He also mentioned Argentine President Javier Milei and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, noting that some leaders won decisive victories after receiving his endorsement.
Trump praised Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as “a great man” and ally, adding in a lighter moment, “I always say he needs a public relations agency. You do so much good, and they have you down as evil—and you help us so much.”
He joked with Rubio about a recent speech in Munich that drew a standing ovation. “Marco, don’t do any better than you did please, because if you do, you’re outta here,” Trump said.
According to the White House, more than 40 nations and the European Union sent representatives to the inaugural meeting, including Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
No Western European representatives attended the signing ceremony in Davos last month. Some countries, including France, previously declined to join the board, citing concerns that the new body could compete with the United Nations.
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