Trump launches Board of Peace, some see challenge to UN

DAVOS, Switzerland,— U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the creation of a new Board of Peace, initially intended to stabilize the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, but which he said could eventually take on a broader role in global diplomacy.

Trump emphasized that the board would work alongside the United Nations.

“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 added that the U.N. has untapped potential that could be leveraged more effectively.

Trump, who will serve as the board’s chairman, invited dozens of international leaders to participate. He said he hoped the board would address challenges beyond Gaza, raising concerns that it could overshadow the U.N.’s traditional role in international peacekeeping.

Several regional powers in the Middle East, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, along with major emerging nations such as Indonesia, have joined the board.

But other influential countries and traditional Western allies of the United States have been cautious.

The board’s permanent members are expected to contribute $1 billion each, according to Trump. Reuters reporters at the signing ceremony did not immediately observe any representatives from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, or other top global powers.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the board will focus on implementing the Gaza peace plan but could also serve as a model for resolving conflicts elsewhere.

No permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, aside from the United States, has yet agreed to join the board. Russia said Wednesday it is reviewing the proposal.

President Vladimir Putin indicated Moscow would provide $1 billion from frozen U.S. assets to support the Palestinian people, according to state media reports.

France declined to join, and Britain said Thursday it is not participating at this time. China has not announced a decision.

Trump launches Board of Peace, Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026. Photo: World Economic Forum WEF

The U.N. Security Council endorsed the board as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan. U.N. spokesperson Rolando Gomez said Thursday that U.N. involvement will be limited to the scope of the Security Council resolution.

Few participating nations are established democracies, though Israel, Argentina, and Hungary, whose leaders have close ties with Trump, have pledged to join.

Trump described the initiative as an opportunity to combine the board’s work with the U.N.’s capabilities to create “something very, very unique for the world.” Other board members include Rubio, U.S. Gaza negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, said the board will focus on funding reconstruction in Gaza, which remains heavily damaged, and on disarming Hamas, the dominant Palestinian militant group.

“If Hamas doesn’t demilitarize, that would be what holds this plan back,” Kushner said. “The next 100 days we’re going to continue to just be heads down and focused on making sure this is implemented. We continue to be focused on humanitarian aid, humanitarian shelter, but then creating the conditions to move forward.”

In a potential sign of progress, Palestinian technocratic committee leader Ali Shaath said the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, Gaza’s main entry point, is expected to reopen next week.

The Gaza ceasefire, agreed to in October 2025, has been fragile, with Israel and Hamas exchanging blame for recurring violence that has killed several Israeli soldiers and hundreds of Palestinians.

Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement, including disputes over the return of a deceased hostage and restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join the board. Palestinian factions have expressed support for Trump’s plan and endorsed a transitional committee to administer Gaza under board oversight.

Even as the ceasefire’s first phase struggles, the next stage must tackle long-standing issues such as Hamas disarmament, security control, and eventual Israeli withdrawal.

(With files from Reuters)