By Our Reporter
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace is beginning to take shape, with about 35 countries formally accepting invitations to join the new U.S.-led global initiative aimed at resolving international conflicts.
Trump unveiled the idea in September last year while outlining plans to end the war in Gaza. He later broadened the mandate of the Board, saying it would address conflicts worldwide and promote global peace.
Under a draft charter reportedly seen by Reuters, Trump will serve as the Board’s inaugural chairman and wield broad executive powers, including the authority to veto decisions and remove members.
Membership is limited to renewable three-year terms, unless participating countries contribute $1 billion to fund the Board’s activities, a payment that would grant permanent membership.
The White House has named several high-profile figures to the founding Executive Board, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
A senior White House official said invitations were sent to about 50 countries, with 35 accepting so far. The participating nations cut across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, including several U.S. allies and a few controversial entrants.
Middle Eastern countries form a significant bloc among early supporters. Armenia and Azerbaijan also accepted invitations following a U.S.-brokered peace agreement last year.
Belarus’ participation has drawn particular attention, given President Alexander Lukashenko’s longstanding diplomatic isolation by Western governments over human rights concerns and his support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Countries That Have Accepted the Invitation
Middle East & North Africa:
Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco
Europe:
Turkey, Hungary, Kosovo, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus
Asia:
Pakistan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam
Latin America:
Paraguay