Gaza-Focused Body Expands Mandate to Global Conflict Resolution
US President Donald Trump’s newly established “Board of Peace” has designated 26 countries as its founding members, with a notable absence of major European nations. The board, initially conceived to oversee a Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction, now holds a broader mandate for global peace-building.
The list of founding members, announced on Wednesday, includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain. Other nations from across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas have also joined the initiative.
Geographic Diversity and Notable Absences
The founding membership showcases significant geographic diversity. The full list includes:
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, UAE, Qatar
- Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan
- Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
- Argentina, Armenia, Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria
- Cambodia, El Salvador, Hungary, Kosovo, Mongolia, Paraguay
However, the absence of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom is conspicuous. Reports indicate sharp disagreements over issues like Greenland and tariff policies have strained Washington’s ties with several European capitals.
Expanded Mandate and International Reactions
President Trump announced the board’s establishment on January 15 as part of his broader Gaza plan, which facilitated a recent ceasefire agreement. While originally focused on Gaza, the board’s charter expands its scope to “peace-building in all areas affected by or at risk of conflict.”
The board launched its official account on social media platform X a week after its formal introduction at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
International reactions have been mixed. Ukraine has questioned how it could participate alongside Russia and Belarus, though Russia was not included as a founding member. This is despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stated readiness to allocate $1 billion from frozen Russian assets to the board’s budget.
The formation of this body marks a significant step in the Trump administration’s approach to international conflict resolution, positioning a coalition of largely non-Western powers at the forefront of a new peace initiative.
