U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his “Board of Peace” during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an initiative aimed initially at solidifying the Gaza ceasefire but with potential to address broader global conflicts. Trump said the board would work in conjunction with the United Nations, emphasizing that it was not intended as a replacement for the international body.
Trump, who will chair the board, invited dozens of world leaders to join, with around 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Egypt, Belarus, Israel, and Hungary, committing so far. However, several major global powers and traditional U.S. allies, including France, Britain, and China, have declined or taken a cautious stance. Russia has indicated it is studying the proposal.
The creation of the board, endorsed through a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, requires permanent members to contribute $1 billion each. Trump highlighted the potential of combining the board’s work with the U.N., calling it a “unique” opportunity for global diplomacy.
Despite the ambitious vision, critics fear the board could undermine the U.N.’s role as the primary platform for conflict resolution and international law, while others question the mandate and funding model. Trump, however, maintained that the initiative would expand beyond Gaza to tackle pressing global challenges, positioning the board as a new tool for peace negotiations.
The signing ceremony took place amid the annual World Economic Forum, which gathers political and business leaders from around the world, drawing attention to Trump’s latest effort to assert U.S. leadership in international diplomacy.
