source The Hindu
WASHINGTON D.C. — President Donald Trump has officially unveiled his “Board of Peace,” a high-stakes international body designed to oversee the post-war reconstruction of Gaza and, potentially, serve as a modern alternative to the United Nations.
The initiative, which Trump describes as “the most consequential board ever assembled,” has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic world. While several key allies and adversaries have expressed interest, a growing list of nations—particularly in Europe—have flatly rejected the proposal, citing concerns over its $1 billion “permanent membership” fee and its potential to undermine existing global institutions.
The Inner Circle: The Executive Board
The core of the initiative is an elite Founding Executive Board tasked with operationalizing the vision. This group features a mix of high-level Trump administration officials, international figures, and business moguls:
Donald Trump: Chairman
Marco Rubio: U.S. Secretary of State
Jared Kushner: Trump’s son-in-law and former senior advisor
Steve Witkoff: U.S. Special Negotiator
Tony Blair: Former British Prime Minister
Ajay Banga: World Bank President
Marc Rowan: Billionaire private equity chief (Apollo Global Management)
Robert Gabriel: Deputy National Security Adviser
The Guest List: Countries Invited
The administration has sent invitations to approximately 60 world leaders. The list is notably broad, including Western allies, Middle Eastern power brokers, and even major U.S. rivals.
Region Invited Countries & Leaders
Middle East Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Americas Canada (PM Mark Carney), Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil
Europe France, UK, Hungary, Italy, Albania, Greece, Cyprus
Asia/Other India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia
Confirmed Joiners: So far, Hungary (PM Viktor Orbán), Vietnam (General Secretary Tô Lâm), Morocco, Kazakhstan, Argentina, and Belarus have officially accepted. Russia (President Vladimir Putin) has acknowledged the invitation and is currently “studying the details.”
The Rejections: Why Nations are Saying No
The proposal has met stiff resistance from several traditional U.S. allies. The primary points of contention are the $1 billion fee for a permanent seat and the perception that the Board is an attempt to bypass the United Nations.
France: President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated France does not plan to join “at this stage.” Officials expressed concern that the body seeks to “usurp the role of the UN.” Trump responded by suggesting Macron would be “out of office very soon.”
Norway: The Norwegian government formally declined on Wednesday. State Secretary Kristoffer Thoner noted that the proposal raises “a number of questions” regarding its link to established international law.
Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite being invited alongside Putin, called the arrangement “very difficult to imagine,” questioning how Ukraine could sit on a peace board with the nation currently invading it.
Israel: While Prime Minister Netanyahu remains in close contact with Trump, his far-right cabinet members, including Bezalel Smotrich, have dismissed the board as a “raw deal” and called for its dissolution, fearing it gives too much influence to regional rivals like Turkey and Qatar.
The “$1 Billion Club”
One of the most controversial aspects of the Board’s charter is the membership structure. According to the draft, each national leader serves a three-year term. however, countries can secure permanent membership by contributing $1 billion in cash funds within the first year.
The White House has defended the fee, stating it “demonstrates deep commitment” and that the funds will be used for the massive reconstruction efforts required in Gaza.
Critics, however, view it differently. “This is an imperial court model, not a diplomatic one,” said one European diplomat who asked not to be named. “It turns international peace-building into a pay-to-play country club.”
President Trump is expected to provide further clarity on the Board’s mandate and finalize the list of founding members during his upcoming appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
