President Donald Trump debuted the Board of Peace on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, saying it has the potential to be “one of the most consequential bodies ever.” The organization was initially tasked with ensuring the ceasefire in Gaza remained sustainable. However, Trump hinted the body could eventually take on a larger role in geopolitics.
“Well, this is a very exciting day,” Trump said Thursday. “Long in the making, and many countries have just received their notice, and everybody wants to be part of it. And we’ll work with many others, including the United Nations.”
The White House has announced 22 members states that have officially joined the new body: Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
WHO WAS INVITED TO BE ON TRUMP’S ‘BOARD OF PEACE’?
“As part of this historic record of major peace initiatives, today we’re announcing more details regarding the board of peace, so important,” Trump said. “This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, and it’s my enormous honor to serve as its chairman.”
During the speech, Trump highlighted his geopolitical feats, including ending several wars, managing peace deals, struggles to end the Ukraine war, and the recent events in Venezuela. Alongside him were the leaders of Argentina, Hungary, Indonesia, Kosovo, and a handful of other countries.
Trump then pivoted to current events in Gaza, where negotiations inspired the creation of the board, noting the progress made in the region.
“Last October, we released a plan for the permanent end to the conflict in Gaza,” Trump said. “And I’m pleased to say our vision was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council late last year. Under phase one of this plan, we have painstakingly maintained that Gaza … maintained the Gaza ceasefire, delivered record levels of humanitarian aid…”
“You don’t hear those stories anymore with people starving,” Trump added. He continued that Gaza would be “rebuilt” and “properly governed.”
Notably, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has joined as a member, after voicing initial hesitation. He was in attendance due to an outstanding International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which would be enforced in Switzerland.
“Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” Trump said.
He then briefly criticized the U.N. before saying it had tremendous prospects for future endeavors.
“The United Nations has tremendous potential, has not used it,” Trump said. “But there’s tremendous potential with the United Nations, and I think the combination of the Board of Peace, with the kind of people we have here, coupled with the United Nations, can be something very unique for the world. It’s for the world. This isn’t [sic] United States, this is the world.”
Many European leaders skipped the signing ceremony, including German Chancellor Fredrick Merz who spoke ahead of it. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had also already flown home Thursday morning.
The White House has pushed back on allegations that Trump is trying to create his own United Nations with the Board of Peace, which he will serve as chair of until he appoints a new one or is otherwise incapacitated. Still, strong supporters of the UN have cited these possible motivations as reason to steer clear of membership.
Additionally, an invitation to be a member was extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader has not said whether or not he will join the body, but Trump said he had accepted the invite.
“He was invited, he’s accepted,” Trump said to reporters in Davos. “Many people have accepted.”
Putin’s involvement in the board is another reason other typical U.S. allies from Europe have kept their distance from the project.
TRUMP SAYS HIS BOARD OF PEACE MIGHT REPLACE UN
During Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech at the ceremony, he expressed optimism that membership will grow. So far, around 50 countries have been invited to the Board.
“Many others who are going to join, you know, others either are not in town today or they have to go through some procedure internally in their own countries, in their own country, because of constitutional limitations, but others will join,” Rubio said.