Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is set to convene for the first time in Washington DC, bringing together representatives to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza.
The group was launched on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum last month and is viewed as Trump’s alternative to the United Nations, which he has repeatedly criticized.
Despite more than 60 leaders being invited to join – with permanent membership requiring a $1bn contribution - key democratic allies such as the UK, Canada, France and Germany are notably absent, while Russia and China are also yet to sign on.
Approximately 24 countries have joined, including Arab states such Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Vietnam have also signed up.
Although the original UN mandate called for the baord to aid the 2.2 million Palestinians forcibly displaced by Israeli forces, the organisation’s charter makes no reference to either the Gaza or the UN.
Palestine is not a member, but Israel and its prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu – who faces an arrest warrantover alleged war crimes in Gaza – are part of the board.
Palestinians have been assigned to its lower-tier technocratic committee, while high-profile figures including former UK prime minister Tony Blair and Jared Kushner sit on the executive board.
Member states have pledged $5bn towards rebuilding Gaza, a commitment that is expected to be formally unveiled at the board’s inaugural meeting.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed the Board of Peace would “prove to be the most consequential international body in history”.
