White House, Jan 27: Twenty more countries have agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, though she did not reveal the names of the new participants.
Leavitt explained that the Board of Peace, initially mandated by the UN Security Council to oversee Gaza for the next two years, is now being positioned by the Trump administration to address conflicts in other regions. She acknowledged that the initiative has faced criticism from some Western nations, which see the board as potentially sidelining the United Nations.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Leavitt also highlighted the return of the last remaining Israeli hostage from Gaza as a “major foreign policy achievement” for Trump, Israel, and the global community.
The announcement comes after Trump signed the charter formally launching the Board of Peace initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22. Trump has described the body as potentially the “most prestigious board ever formed.”
Calling it a “very exciting day, long in the making,” Trump said, “We’re going to have peace in the world,” adding, “And we’re all stars.” He also noted that threats worldwide “are really calming down” and claimed his administration has made “a lot of progress” in ending conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The initiative evolved from Trump’s 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council but has since expanded beyond Gaza. Administration officials said around 35 nations have committed to join, with 60 invited. Trump suggested the board could take on roles currently handled by the United Nations.
Trump said many countries were eager to join, including Egypt, whose President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi confirmed membership. Some leaders required parliamentary approval before committing, while other nations not initially invited sought inclusion. Defending the participation of leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Trump emphasized he wanted “everybody” with the power to “get the job done.”
Several European allies declined participation, citing concerns about the board’s expanded mandate and its implications for the UN-based international system. The UK, for instance, confirmed it would not sign the treaty, citing concerns over Putin’s invitation.
According to the charter, permanent membership requires a contribution of USD 1 billion, while non-paying members receive a three-year mandate. Trump is designated as permanent chairman, even after leaving office.
Trump linked the initiative to his broader foreign policy, noting it played a role in securing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. “If we didn’t do that, there was no chance of making peace,” he said. (Agencies)
