U.S. President Donald Trump formally launched the Board of Peace at a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026, an international body billed as a new conflict-resolution organization that could potentially overshadow the United Nations. The event, attended by leaders from 20 countries, marks a significant shift in global diplomacy, with Trump claiming the board will address crises from Gaza to broader global issues while demanding a $1 billion contribution for permanent membership.
The Board of Peace was unveiled during the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump signed the founding charter alongside representatives from nations including Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Hungary. In his remarks, Trump asserted that the board, once fully formed, could “do pretty much whatever we want to do” and emphasized collaboration with the UN, though he criticized the latter for underutilized potential. The ceremony highlighted the board’s ambitious scope, originally conceived to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction but now expanded to tackle other international conflicts, with a charter that does not mention Gaza specifically.
According to reports from Al Jazeera and the BBC, the board’s structure places Trump as chairman, with a founding executive council including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The charter allows Trump to appoint members and create subsidiary bodies, granting him wide decision-making powers. Permanent membership requires a $1 billion fee, described as voluntary but expected to fund reconstruction efforts, with up to 25 countries reportedly agreeing to join so far.
International reaction has been mixed, with several U.S. allies expressing reservations. The UK, for instance, declined to sign immediately, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper citing concerns over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential involvement, given Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Other European nations like France, Norway, and Slovenia have also held back, questioning the board’s legitimacy and its possible undermining of the UN Security Council, which has traditionally handled global diplomacy since World War II.
The board’s focus on Gaza has drawn skepticism from Palestinians, as highlighted by Al Jazeera’s reporting from the ground. Palestinians in Gaza feel overlooked, with no representative on the board, and view the initiative as detached from their reality of dire humanitarian shortages. Despite Trump’s claims of aid flowing into Gaza, UN agencies warn of persistent crises in food, water, and medicine, casting doubt on the board’s immediate impact.
Critics, including academics and diplomats, argue that the Board of Peace represents an attempt to render the UN obsolete and position Trump in a dominant global role. David Wearing, a lecturer at the University of Sussex, told Al Jazeera that the board aims to place Trump in a “monarchical or imperial position” as chairman of a new UN-like entity. This has sparked debates about the future of international governance, especially as the board’s charter grants it authority to promote stability and lawful governance in conflict zones.
Looking ahead, the board’s success hinges on broader international buy-in and effective implementation. Trump and his advisors, including Kushner, have outlined plans for Gaza involving security measures, demilitarization, and economic development through free-market principles, with visions of high-rise coastal towers. However, without participation from key powers like China, India, and several European nations, its global influence may be limited. Ongoing discussions, such as Putin’s potential contribution using frozen Russian assets, will shape its trajectory.
The launch of the Board of Peace signals a pivotal moment in international relations, challenging the UN’s centrality and introducing a new framework for conflict resolution. As Trump pushes forward with this initiative, the world watches to see if it can deliver on its promises of peace or further fragment global diplomacy. The coming weeks will test its viability, with implications for conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond, potentially redefining how nations cooperate on the world stage.
