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Politics
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace is gradually taking shape, with several countries formally accepting invitations to become part of the new and controversial global initiative aimed at resolving international conflicts.
Trump first announced the idea in September last year while presenting his strategy to end the war in Gaza. He later broadened the mandate of the Board, saying it would address conflicts beyond the Middle East and serve as a global platform for peacebuilding.
According to a draft charter reviewed by Reuters, Trump is set to serve as the inaugural chairman of the Board, with wide-ranging executive powers that include the authority to veto decisions and remove member states. Membership is designed to last for three years, although countries willing to contribute $1 billion to fund the initiative would be granted permanent membership.
The White House has already named several high-profile figures to the founding Executive Board, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
A senior White House official disclosed that about 35 countries have so far agreed to join the Board, out of roughly 50 invitations issued. The countries span multiple regions, including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and include both long-standing U.S. allies and more controversial participants.
Middle Eastern countries make up a significant portion of the early supporters, alongside nations whose leaders maintain close political or personal relationships with Trump. Armenia and Azerbaijan have also accepted invitations, following a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between the two countries last year.
One of the most controversial acceptances came from Belarus, whose president, Alexander Lukashenko, has faced years of diplomatic isolation from Western governments over human rights concerns and his support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Middle East & North Africa
IsraelSaudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Jordan
Qatar
Egypt
Morocco
Europe
Turkey
Hungary
Kosovo
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Asia
Pakistan
Indonesia
Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan
Vietnam
Latin America
Paraguay
(The Nation)
