US President Donald Trump has invited dozens of global leaders to participate in his Board of Peace initiative, aimed at resolving conflicts worldwide. While some nations have welcomed the offer, diplomats warn it could challenge the authority of the United Nations.
The Board of Peace was first proposed by Trump last September to end the Gaza war. He later expanded its mission to address global conflicts. Trump will serve as the inaugural chairman, overseeing efforts to promote peace and mediate disputes.
According to the Board of Peace charter, member states may serve three-year terms unless they pay $1 billion to gain permanent membership. The White House named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner to the board’s executive team.
So far, about 35 world leaders have accepted invitations to join the Board of Peace. Participating countries include Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, and Vietnam. Armenia and Azerbaijan, which signed a US-mediated peace deal last year, have also joined.
More controversially, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accepted the invitation, signaling a warming of ties with Washington. Russia and China, both permanent UN Security Council members, have not yet confirmed participation, likely due to concerns about their influence being undermined.
Some key US allies, including Norway, Sweden, and France, have declined the invitation, while Canada has agreed in principle. Italy has raised constitutional concerns, and Ukraine is reviewing its participation after years of conflict with Russia.
The Board of Peace is tasked with implementing peace-building functions under international law. For Gaza, it has the authority to deploy a temporary International Stabilization Force and report progress to the UN Security Council every six months. Beyond Gaza, the board’s legal authority and operational scope remain unclear.
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Trump emphasized that the Board of Peace will complement, not replace, the United Nations, stating that the UN’s potential is “so great.” Observers say the initiative reflects Trump’s ambition to assert US-led solutions in global conflicts while navigating international diplomacy challenges.
