U.S. President Donald Trump is set to launch his Board of Peace on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, aiming to address the Gaza conflict and broader global security challenges. While Trump has said the board is not intended to replace the United Nations, some European countries and other traditional U.S. allies fear it could rival or undermine the international body.
Trump, who will chair the board, has invited dozens of world leaders to join. Permanent members are asked to contribute $1 billion each, though most of the other five permanent U.N. Security Council members have so far declined or responded cautiously. Only the United States has formally committed, with Russia reportedly reviewing the proposal. France and Britain have declined, while China has yet to announce a position.
Participation and Structure
Despite skepticism from some allies, around 35 countries have agreed to join, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, and Belarus. The board will also include senior U.S. officials and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation, and Palestinian factions have endorsed the initiative, establishing a transitional Palestinian committee to oversee Gaza under the board’s guidance.
The board’s charter, reviewed by Reuters, assigns it the task of promoting peace globally, with a focus on conflict resolution, humanitarian oversight, and strategic cooperation. Trump envisions it extending beyond Gaza to address other geopolitical challenges.
Gaza Conflict Context
The Gaza ceasefire brokered in October has been fragile, with repeated clashes between Israel and Hamas. Both sides accuse each other of violating the truce, and underlying issues such as Hamas disarmament, Israeli security control, and long-term governance in Gaza remain unresolved. Trump has described the agreement as “peace in the Middle East,” though the first phase of the truce has struggled to hold.
Trump met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Davos to discuss the board, highlighting Egypt’s continued role as a mediator in Gaza. Observers note that while the board’s launch is a symbolic demonstration of U.S. leadership, its practical influence will depend on buy-in from key international actors and the cooperation of parties directly involved in conflicts such as Gaza.
With information from Reuters.
