Trump's 'Board of Peace' Seeks Global Mandate with $1 Billion Permanent Membership Fee
Al Jazeera Staff, Isabel Kershner, Reuters, and Jerusalem Post Staff
January 18, 2026
Click here for the Al Jazeera article | Click here for the New York Times article | Click here for the Jerusalem Post article
Summary:
President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace," initially unveiled as part of phase two of the Gaza ceasefire to oversee reconstruction and governance in the enclave, appears designed for a significantly broader global mandate, sparking international caution and concerns about undermining the United Nations and acting as a sort of alternative UN Security Council.
Letters and a draft charter sent to approximately 60 countries reveal the board aims to resolve global conflicts beyond Gaza, with Trump serving as chairman for life.
The charter requires member countries to contribute $1 billion in cash for permanent membership beyond a three-year term, though the White House clarified there is no minimum fee for basic membership.
The charter makes no mention of Gaza specifically, instead outlining a mission to "promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict."
Governments reacted cautiously, with only Hungary giving unequivocal acceptance, while three Western diplomats expressed concerns the initiative would undermine the UN if implemented.
The document criticizes existing approaches as having "too often failed" and calls for "a more nimble and effective international peace-building body."
Trump announced founding executive members including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
A separate 11-member Gaza Executive Board was established to liaise with a Palestinian technocratic committee, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare public protest, stating the composition "was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy," particularly objecting to Qatar and Turkey's participation.
Confirmed invitations have gone to leaders of Argentina, Paraguay, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, India, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Australia, and Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he agreed in principle though details were being worked out, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country was "ready to do our part." A
UN Security Council resolution in November 2025 authorized a mandate for the board only through 2027 and solely focused on Gaza, with Russia and China abstaining. Trump has long been critical of multilateral institutions, and the US currently owes $1.5 billion to the UN.
Quotes:
"The Board of Peace is an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. Durable peace requires pragmatic judgment, common sense solutions, and the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed." — Board of Peace charter
"It's a 'Trump United Nations' that ignores the fundamentals of the UN charter." — Unnamed diplomat to Reuters
"This simply offers permanent membership to partner countries who demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity." — White House statement
"Prime Minister Netanyahu will do everything to change that decision." — Israeli Minister Miri Regev, regarding Qatar and Turkey's participation on the Gaza Executive Board
"This board will be one of a kind, there has never been anything like it!" — President Donald Trump
"It's going to, in my opinion, start with Gaza and then do conflicts as they arise." — President Donald Trump to Reuters
"We have, of course, accepted this honorable invitation." — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
"And if we question that ... we fall back and very, very, dark, times." — Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly, on questioning the UN's role
"The United Nations will continue with its mandated work." — Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson
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