Trump Launches Board of Peace: What It Means for Global Diplomacy and the UN

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially unveiled a bold new initiative called the Board of Peace, which aims to stabilize the precarious ceasefire in Gaza. However, Trump envisions this initiative extending far beyond Gaza to address other pressing global challenges. While this expansive vision has garnered interest, some allies worry it might disrupt the United Nations' leadership role in managing international diplomacy and conflict resolution. During a high-profile announcement held alongside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump clarified that the Board of Peace is intended to complement—not replace—the efforts of multilateral institutions like the UN. Highlighting what he considers untapped potential within the United Nations, he framed the board as a cooperative partner in tackling global crises. Positioned as the board’s chair, Trump emphasized that the initiative’s ultimate scope goes beyond Gaza to tackle broader international conflicts. However, this ambition has sparked unease among U.S. allies who fear it could dilute the primacy of the UN in global governance. Despite these concerns, the new initiative has already attracted commitments from around 35 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina, and Indonesia. Russia is reportedly considering joining but remains undecided for now. Meanwhile, responses from Western powers have been more tepid—France has declined to participate, Britain has stated it is holding off for the time being, and China has yet to take a clear position.

Key to membership in the Board of Peace is a significant financial commitment, with permanent members expected to contribute $1 billion each. At the signing ceremony, however, there were no major representatives from global superpowers. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin commented that Moscow is reviewing the proposal and suggested possibly using frozen Russian assets in the U.S. to fulfill any potential contribution aimed at supporting Palestinians. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that in the short term, the board’s primary focus would be the effective implementation of the Gaza peace plan. He further suggested it could act as a blueprint for resolving conflicts in other regions. The board's establishment was backed by a UN Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza peace strategy, though the UN stressed its involvement would remain limited to that specific area. The current roster of contributors includes a mix of democracies and nations led by governments sympathetic to Trump’s diplomatic style. High-profile members include U.S. figures like Rubio, senior Gaza negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Right now, international attention remains firmly fixed on Gaza’s fragile truce. According to Kushner, the next steps focus on reconstructing Gaza’s infrastructure and addressing the disarmament of Hamas, a vital roadblock to sustainable peace in the region. In the near term, efforts will prioritize delivering humanitarian aid while creating conditions conducive to long-term stability.

There are some early signs of movement. Palestinian officials have indicated that Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt is scheduled to reopen next week—a critical development for civilian access and aid delivery. Even so, challenges to the ceasefire persist as mutual accusations between Israel and Hamas over violations—ranging from disputes about hostages and humanitarian aid to ongoing violence—threaten its longevity. On a more diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join the board, while Palestinian factions have cautiously endorsed both the peace plan and a transitional committee to oversee Gaza under the board’s monitoring. Yet even with this framework in place, long-standing issues like Hamas disarmament, security arrangements for Gaza, and an eventual Israeli withdrawal will require marathon negotiations.