In a controversial move that has drawn mixed international reactions, former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his proposed ‘Board of Peace’ during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The initiative, initially focused on cementing the Gaza ceasefire, has raised concerns among traditional Western allies about its potential to undermine the United Nations’ role in global diplomacy.
Trump announced he would chair the board himself and revealed that approximately 35 world leaders had committed to joining out of 50 invitations extended. However, the project faces significant skepticism from key U.S. allies who question both its structure and funding requirements. Permanent members are expected to contribute $1 billion each, a condition that has prompted several nations to decline participation.
European powers including France, Norway, and Slovenia have expressed reservations about the board’s broad mandate. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated: ‘Yes to implementing the peace plan presented by the president of the United States, which we wholeheartedly support, but no to creating an organization as it has been presented, which would replace the United Nations.’
Despite Western hesitation, several Middle Eastern nations have embraced the initiative. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement announcing their participation. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also agreed to join, marking a shift from his previous criticism of similar committees.
In a surprising development, Trump claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to participate, though Kremlin officials stated they were still studying the invitation. Putin suggested Russia might fund its contribution using frozen Russian assets and announced planned meetings with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to discuss Ukrainian settlement.
The board’s launch comes amid ongoing tensions in Gaza, where destruction remains visible along the Israel-Gaza border. Trump expressed optimism about the initiative’s prospects, stating that ‘everybody wants to be on’ the board, though he acknowledged some nations would require parliamentary approval to join.