Trump Launches Board Of Peace With Global Allies

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump unveiled his most ambitious international initiative yet: the Board of Peace, an organization designed to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza and potentially mediate global conflicts. The announcement, made on January 22, 2026, has drawn both praise and skepticism, with a growing list of countries signing on, while some major U.S. allies remain on the sidelines.

According to multiple reports from The Associated Press, TNND, and CBS News, the Board of Peace is the centerpiece of Trump’s post-presidential foreign policy. Its stated mission: to lead peace-building efforts in accordance with international law, beginning with Gaza’s demilitarization and reconstruction, and then potentially expanding its reach to other global flashpoints. Trump, serving as the inaugural chairman, declared at Davos, “We’ll work with many others, including the U.N.,” and called the board “one of the most consequential bodies ever created.”

The Board’s origins trace back to a U.S.-penned resolution adopted by the United Nations in November 2025. Initially envisioned as a small group to shepherd the Gaza ceasefire plan, the Board’s scope quickly expanded. Invitations were sent to about 50 countries, with the Trump administration expecting roughly 30 to join. As of January 22, more than 25 countries have accepted, including Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Yet, the list of signatories is notable for who is absent. France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom have all declined or expressed reservations. Canada has agreed “in principle” but is still working out the details. The Vatican is considering the proposal, with Pope Leo invited but not yet committed. Russia’s Vladimir Putin has been invited, though he is still consulting with “strategic partners” before making a decision. Ukraine, too, is weighing its participation, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy openly uncertain about serving alongside Russia.

Explaining the reluctance of some European nations, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told CBS News that parliamentary approval and a desire for closer linkage to the U.N. are necessary prerequisites. The U.K. cited concerns over Russia’s possible involvement, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stating, “We do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine.” Belgium, after being listed as a participant by the White House, publicly clarified, “Belgium has NOT signed the Charter of the Board of Peace. This announcement is incorrect,” and expressed reservations similar to other European countries.

The Board’s structure is as ambitious as its aims. Members serve three-year terms, unless they contribute $1 billion to the Board’s activities within the first year, earning permanent membership. The founding Executive Board is stacked with high-profile figures: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, World Bank President Ajay Banga, national security adviser Robert Gabriel, and Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management. Each executive member is tasked with overseeing a portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success, including governance, regional relations, reconstruction, and investment attraction.

Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, presented a sweeping vision for Gaza’s future, complete with mock-ups of high-rises and coastal tourism. “New Gaza, it could be a hope. It could be a destination, have a lot of industry, and really be a place that the people there can thrive,” Kushner said. He emphasized that there is no alternative plan: “We do not have a plan B. We have a plan. We signed an agreement. We are all committed to making that agreement work. There’s a master plan.” Secretary Rubio echoed this optimism, describing the board as ushering in “a new era and a new stage,” and suggesting its model could be replicated elsewhere.

Operationally, the Board will provide oversight to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister. Day-to-day rebuilding and demilitarization will fall under the NCAG’s purview, with the Board ensuring strategic direction and accountability. Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently announced the launch of “Phase Two” of the Gaza ceasefire plan, marking the start of demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. Phase One encountered setbacks due to ongoing violence and Hamas’s refusal to release the final deceased Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili. Trump did not mince words, warning Hamas: “They have to give up their weapons, and if they don’t do that, it’s going to be the end of them.”

In Davos, Trump also touted the U.S. military’s recent actions in Iran and Venezuela, claiming these operations were crucial to securing broader Middle East peace. “If we didn’t do that, there was no chance of making peace between Israel and Hamas,” he argued, crediting the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites with bringing Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to the negotiating table.

The Board’s ambitions extend beyond Gaza. Trump hinted that “we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza,” and even floated the idea that the Board “might” replace the United Nations, though he later clarified it would work alongside the U.N. rather than supplant it. “We’re going to do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” Trump said, acknowledging the global body’s “tremendous potential” but critiquing its past failures.

The Board’s launch coincides with other high-stakes diplomatic maneuvers. Zelenskyy announced that U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian representatives would meet in the United Arab Emirates for trilateral talks on January 23 or 24—the first such meeting regarding the Gaza ceasefire. Zelenskyy described his meeting with Trump as “productive and substantive,” emphasizing the need for U.S.-backed security guarantees and calling the final stages of peace negotiations with Russia “difficult.”

Despite the uncertainty and controversy, Trump remains bullish on the Board’s prospects. “Places are really calming down,” he said, claiming credit for averting wars and saving millions of lives. Secretary Rubio called the Board a “work in progress,” expressing hope that more countries will join as internal procedures are completed.

With its grand ambitions, high-profile leadership, and a growing—if uneven—coalition of nations, the Board of Peace stands as a bold experiment in international diplomacy. Whether it will deliver on its promise to bring lasting peace to Gaza and beyond remains an open question, but for now, it has thrust Trump and his allies back into the center of the world stage.