26 January 2026
Donald Trump addressing the United Nations General Assembly during his first presidency, 25 September 2018. Photo Trump White House via Flickr (Public Domain).
President Donald Trump has created a “Board of Peace”. The way things are going, it looks more like an attempt to maintain US hegemony over international affairs and to bypass the United Nations.
Trump says this “might” replace the UN. The board’s charter mentions “institutions that have too often failed”. It does not directly name the UN, an organisation that Trump has repeatedly criticised.
“Consequential”
On 22 January, he told the World Economic Forum at Davos, “This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created and it’s my enormous honour to serve as its chairman.”
Trump initially floated the Board of Peace as part of a second phase of the US-brokered 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan in September. The United Nations Security Council backed the idea in November, with a mandate for the board to oversee the demilitarisation and rebuilding of Gaza.
Deception
But this was a deception. Trump had longer-term plans. In its charter, the Board of Peace describes itself as an “international organization” promoting stability, peace and governance “in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” It doesn’t even mention Gaza.
‘The charter doesn’t even mention Gaza.’
Several government have raised concerns. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said, “When you read the charter, it doesn’t only apply to Gaza, whereas the resolution that we had voted (on) … at the Security Council of the United Nations was really targeting Gaza and the Middle East.”
He added, “Point two is that it raises very important concern regarding the rationality with the charter of the United Nations.”
Control
Trump is chairman for life of this board. Only he can nominate his successor. He controls its funds. He alone holds a veto over any of its decisions. He alone can invite government leaders to become members. He is offering permanent seats for $1 billion.
The Board of Peace will sit above a “founding Executive Board” that includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and former British prime minister Tony Blair.
‘Over 20 countries have already accepted.’
Along with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu over 20 countries have already accepted Trump’s invitation: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Argentina, Paraguay, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
US deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, billionaire businessman Marc Rowan and World Bank head Ajay Banga are also members.
Dubious
France and Norway have so far declined to join. The British government has also declined, on the dubious grounds that Trump invited President Putin to join.
As well as Russia the US president has invited China and Belarus to join. They have not yet decided whether to accept his invitation. But he has rescinded his invitation to Canada.