U.S. President Donald Trump signed the charter establishing the Board of Peace on Thursday (January 22) on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Trump introduced the new body as an international instrument for addressing global conflicts, positioning it as part of a peace architecture he claims would be more effective than existing multilateral mechanisms.
The signing ceremony was attended by only a small number of world leaders, amid the absence of many key Western allies who chose not to take part.
Trump said the Board of Peace would operate alongside the United Nations, despite having previously suggested that it “might replace” the UN.
In his remarks, he again criticized the UN as a forum of “empty words” that “don’t solve war,” while asserting that the two institutions, if working together, “can be something very, very unique for the world.”
Mandate and Structure of the Board of Peace
The idea of the Board of Peace initially emerged as part of Trump’s post-conflict plan for Gaza. However, according to its official charter, the institution’s mandate has since been significantly broadened.
The document defines the Board of Peace as a new international organization aimed at “promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secur[ing] enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
The charter designates Trump as chair of the board, stipulating that he can only be replaced through voluntary resignation or incapacity, as determined by a unanimous vote of the Executive Council.
Member states are to serve terms of up to three years, with an exception for countries contributing more than USD 1 billion.
The White House emphasized that such contributions are not mandatory fees, but rather an option for countries to obtain permanent membership by demonstrating a “deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.”
The White House also revealed that the founding Executive Council will include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
Several subcommittees have already been formed, including one directly focused on the reconstruction of Gaza.
Countries Joining and Opting Out
More than 20 countries have expressed their willingness to join the Board of Peace. The list includes Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam.
Meanwhile, Russia and China have confirmed that they received invitations, but have not yet confirmed their participation.
In contrast, several traditional U.S. allies have chosen to distance themselves from the initiative. France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and Spain are among the countries that have stated they will not join at this stage.
Canada was even explicitly excluded after Trump withdrew its invitation, following a verbal dispute with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Canada’s invitation had been revoked from “what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.”
Israel has expressed support for the Board of Peace, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not present in Davos. Meanwhile, several European countries have voiced concerns over potential overlap with the United Nations’ role and the international legal implications of the new body.
International Criticism and Skepticism
The launch of the Board of Peace has sparked skepticism among diplomats and analysts. Key criticisms focus on its broad mandate, centralized leadership structure, and the possibility that it could serve as an alternative—or even a rival—to the United Nations.
Several European governments have argued that the initiative raises serious questions about global governance and respect for the post–World War II multilateral system.
In addition, the Board of Peace charter grants significant authority to its chair, including veto power over certain decisions and the ability to appoint a successor.
The request for financial contributions of up to USD 1 billion in exchange for permanent membership has also drawn scrutiny, despite White House assurances that such contributions are voluntary.
Although Trump has described the Board of Peace as a body that “has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” the divided global response suggests that its future will largely depend on how willing countries are to accept its role and structure within the established landscape of international diplomacy.
