What is the Board of Peace that Trump signed at Davos and who are its members?

U.S. President Donald Trump formally launched his proposed international “Board of Peace,” a new diplomatic body he says could reshape how global conflicts are mediated. The announcement came amid easing tensions with Europe over Greenland, renewed ceasefire optimism in Gaza, and ongoing U.S.-led efforts to broker peace in Ukraine.

Trump hosted presidents, prime ministers, and senior diplomats from more than a dozen countries during a high-profile ceremony on the sidelines of the Davos summit. According to the forum’s official schedule, participation leaned heavily toward nations from the Middle East, South America, Central Asia, and South Asia. Attendance from major European allies remained limited, reflecting lingering skepticism about the board’s scope and authority.

The White House billed the gathering as a charter launch. However, no formal charter text was publicly released, and the full membership list remains incomplete. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accompanied Trump.


Trump said the Board of Peace will initially focus on Gaza, where fighting between Israel and Hamas has sharply declined in recent days. He also signaled broader ambitions, suggesting the body could later address conflicts worldwide while working alongside, rather than replacing, the United Nations.

Trump positions Board of Peace as Gaza-first, global next

In his remarks, Trump said the Israel-Hamas war is “really coming to an end,” describing remaining violence in Gaza as “small fires” that could be extinguished quickly. He also downplayed Hezbollah’s strength in Lebanon, calling the group “remnants,” though U.S. intelligence officials continue to warn that the Iran-backed organization retains operational capability.

The president emphasized that Gaza would serve as the Board of Peace’s proving ground. If successful, he said, the model could expand to other regions. Trump added that the board would work “in conjunction with the United Nations,” despite his long-standing criticism of the global body’s effectiveness.

Recent regional dynamics have added urgency to the effort. Israel has intensified diplomatic engagement with Arab states following reduced hostilities, while Iran remains under scrutiny for its role in supporting militant groups across Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. U.S. officials say Tehran’s regional posture has shifted following economic pressure and expanded sanctions, though no direct talks between Washington and Tehran were announced at Davos.

Why Trump created the Board of Peace and what its mandate says

The idea behind the Board of Peace emerged in late 2025, as Trump pushed for a post-war governance plan linked to the Israel–Hamas conflict. He argued that ceasefires without long-term political and economic oversight often collapse. The board, he said, would provide that missing structure.

Formally, the charter defines the Board of Peace as an international body tasked with restoring stability, rebuilding institutions, and ensuring long-term security in conflict-affected regions. Unlike the United Nations, which operates through large assemblies and layered bureaucracy, the board is designed to be small, centralized, and fast-moving.

Trump emphasized that the board would combine diplomacy, economic investment, and security guarantees. The model is closer to a corporate-style governance structure than a traditional intergovernmental organization. Decision-making authority is concentrated at the top, with the chair holding exceptional influence over agenda-setting and membership.

One of the most controversial aspects is leadership. Under the founding charter, Trump serves as chairman, with no fixed end date. That provision alone has drawn criticism from European diplomats, who say it blurs the line between national leadership and international authority. Trump, however, framed this as continuity rather than control, arguing that peace efforts fail when leadership changes too often.

The mandate also allows the board to coordinate directly with governments, financial institutions, and private investors. That means reconstruction funding, infrastructure projects, and governance reforms could be tied closely to board decisions. Supporters see this as efficient. Skeptics see it as a way to exert political leverage through economic tools.

Who sits on the Board of Peace and which countries have joined

At launch, the Board of Peace included a mix of political figures, diplomats, and state representatives. Trump chairs the board and personally announced several founding executive members. Among them are Marco Rubio, who represents the formal diplomatic arm of the United States, and Steve Witkoff, a close Trump ally involved in international negotiations. Jared Kushner was also named, reflecting Trump’s reliance on a tight inner circle for foreign policy initiatives.

Trump appointed a seven-member Executive Board composed of close allies and financial leaders:

• Marco Rubio: U.S. Secretary of State, overseeing diplomatic alignment.
• Jared Kushner: Lead strategist for Middle East regional integration.
• Steve Witkoff: U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East.
• Tony Blair: Former U.K. Prime Minister, focusing on governance capacity.
• Ajay Banga: President of the World Bank, managing large-scale funding.
• Marc Rowan: CEO of Apollo Global Management, leading investment strategies.
• Nickolay Mladenov: High Representative for Gaza, acting as the ground-level director.

On the international side, participation is country-based rather than individual-based, at least for now. Several Middle Eastern nations were among the earliest to sign on. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia publicly confirmed their participation. Their involvement is significant because many of these states are central players in regional security and energy markets.

Israel also joined, linking the board directly to ongoing Middle East diplomacy. Beyond the region, countries such as Morocco, Kosovo, Hungary, Vietnam, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Paraguay accepted invitations or signaled formal support.

• Confirmed Members include: Israel, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, Hungary, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan.
• Notable Abstentions/Rejections: India (invited but currently non-committal), France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway.

By Trump’s own count, around 35 governments have agreed in principle to participate, out of roughly 50 invitations sent. Not all sent leaders to Davos, and some kept their commitments low-profile. That uneven visibility has fueled speculation about internal disagreements or political caution.

Notably absent were several major Western powers. The United Kingdom did not sign at Davos. France declined outright. Nordic countries such as Norway and Sweden also stayed away. China and Russia have not confirmed participation, while Germany, Japan, and India have remained publicly non-committal.

Notably absent were several major European leaders. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended Davos, he stopped short of formally endorsing the Board of Peace. Merz welcomed Trump’s decision to reverse threatened tariffs on eight European nations tied to Greenland negotiations, calling renewed dialogue between Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. “the right way forward.”

Greenland reversal eases transatlantic tensions

European officials expressed visible relief after Trump scrapped tariff threats linked to U.S. ambitions over Greenland. The president announced a new framework with NATO focused on Arctic security, explicitly ruling out the use of military force to assert control over the Danish territory.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Denmark’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, though she welcomed broader NATO discussions on Arctic defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged allies not to lose focus on Ukraine, warning that Russia continues to launch drone and missile attacks despite diplomatic overtures.

The Greenland episode briefly rattled markets and alliances, but Trump’s reversal helped stabilize transatlantic relations. Asian markets rose Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbing nearly 2 percent as investors reacted positively to reduced tariff risk.

On the sidelines of Davos, Witkoff said Trump is considering a “tariff-free zone” for Ukraine to stimulate post-war industrial growth. Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Moscow and Abu Dhabi as part of ongoing U.S.-led negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, though officials caution that a breakthrough is not imminent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Davos to meet Trump and participate in discussions on Ukraine’s economic recovery. NATO leaders continue to push for sustained military and financial support, even as diplomatic channels remain active.

For now, Trump is betting that momentum from Gaza, reduced European tensions, and selective diplomatic wins can turn his ambitious proposal into a lasting platform. Whether traditional allies ultimately join may determine whether the Board of Peace becomes a new force in global diplomacy or remains a Davos-era experiment.

FAQs:

Q: What is President Trump’s “Board of Peace,” and what conflicts will it address first?

A: The Board of Peace is a U.S.-led diplomatic body announced at Davos in January 2026. It will initially focus on stabilizing Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war. Trump said the board may later mediate other global conflicts. The group is expected to coordinate with the United Nations.

Q: Which countries are involved, and why are some U.S. allies absent?

A: Leaders from over a dozen countries attended, mainly from the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Participants included Argentina, Pakistan, Indonesia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Several European allies have not formally joined. Officials cite unclear membership rules and mandate details.