United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial new international body dubbed the “Board of Peace”, an initiative that is already raising concerns among Western allies even as it attracts support from Middle Eastern monarchs, authoritarian leaders and at least one head of government facing allegations of war crimes.
Trump has invited about 50 countries to join the board, which he said was aimed at resolving global conflicts. However, its sweeping mandate, indefinite leadership structure and fears that it could replace the United Nations (UN) have triggered deep concerns among diplomats and world leaders.
According to a senior US administration official, about 35 countries are expected to attend a signing ceremony scheduled for Thursday on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
What is the Board of Peace?
Trump first floated the idea of the Board of Peace in September as part of the second phase of a US-brokered 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan. In November, the United Nations Security Council endorsed that plan, giving the board an initial mandate to oversee the demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza following Israel’s two-year war.
However, documents obtained by CNN show that Trump’s ambitions for the board have since expanded significantly. A draft charter describes the Board of Peace as an “international organisation” tasked with promoting stability, peace and governance in “areas affected or threatened by conflict.” Notably, the charter makes no direct reference to Gaza anymore.
Under the proposal, Trump would serve as the board’s chairman indefinitely, potentially extending beyond his second term in office. The board would sit above a “founding Executive Board” that includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Who has accepted?
Several countries have formally accepted Trump’s invitation. These include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo, Argentina and Paraguay.
Others on board are Israel, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to join despite reportedly objecting to the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari officials on the Gaza-related executive board, and despite facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have also signed on, following a US-brokered peace deal last year that grants Washington exclusive development access to a key transit corridor in the region.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, often described as “Europe’s last dictator” and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has also agreed to participate. Putin himself has been invited but has yet to formally confirm his acceptance, though he has suggested that frozen Russian assets in the US could be used to pay the $1 billion fee required for a permanent seat.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated his intention to join under certain conditions, saying details, including financial obligations were still being discussed. Carney has previously criticised Trump for undermining the global “rules-based order.”
Who has declined?
Several Western allies have declined to join or expressed reservations. France and Norway have rejected the invitation, citing concerns over how the Board of Peace would operate alongside the United Nations.
China confirmed it received an invitation but has not committed. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Beijing “will stay firmly committed to safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was blunt in his response, saying it was hard to imagine being “together with Russia in any council,” adding that “the issue is that Russia is our enemy, and Belarus is their ally.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said there could be constitutional barriers to Italy’s participation and confirmed she would not attend the signing ceremony. Ireland has also stopped short of committing, with Foreign Minister Helen McEntee saying the government would give the invitation “careful consideration.”
What are the concerns?
The Board of Peace has been mired in controversy from its inception. Critics have raised red flags over its expanded remit, Trump’s indefinite leadership role, and the implications for the United Nations’ authority.
Under the proposed structure, member states would serve three-year terms, after which they could secure permanent seats by paying $1 billion. While US officials say the funds would be used for Gaza’s reconstruction, critics argue the arrangement is vulnerable to corruption and undue influence.
Trump’s suggestion that the board “might” replace the UN has further unsettled diplomats. The draft charter refers vaguely to “institutions that have too often failed,” widely interpreted as a jab at the United Nations, an organisation Trump has repeatedly criticised.
As global reactions to the initiative remained mixed, the Board of Peace is shaping up to be one of the most contentious foreign policy initiatives of Trump’s second term, with far-reaching implications for international diplomacy and the future of multilateral governance.
