President Donald Trump has formally launched his , amid concerns from European countries about its membership and the possible involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Returning to the World Economic Forum stage in Davos on Thursday morning, Trump was joined by the board’s newly named members, many of whom come from the Middle East and South America. The U.S. President said he was honored to chair what could be “one of the most impactful bodies ever created.”
Western European leaders were notably absent from the stage with Trump. The U.K. had previously raised concerns about Putin’s potential involvement. Though invited, Putin is believed to still be considering participation.
Earlier in the week, Trump stirred worries by suggesting his board “might” replace the United Nations—but he walked that back, instead framing the board as having “tremendous potential in partnership with the United Nations.” Sharing his hopes for the new body, he said: “We’ll work with many others, including the U.N.” The United Nations adopted the U.S.-drafted resolution establishing the Board of Peace in November.
Other concerns about the board focus on a draft charter that reportedly states: while nations accepting the invitation get a three-year membership term, permanent membership will go to states that contribute $1 billion in cash within the first year.
Brushing past mounting reservations, Trump instead hailed a new beginning for Gaza. The Israel-Hamas war is “truly winding down,” he said, before issuing a sharp warning to Hamas to disarm. Calling Hamas members people “born with rifles in their hands,” he stated: “They have to surrender their weapons, and if they don’t, it will be the end of them.”
The President also called on Hamas to release the final deceased Israeli hostage, .
Talking about Gaza, Trump described himself as a “real estate person at heart” and highlighted the territory’s location. “I said, look at this seaside spot. People living so poorly are going to do so well—and it all starts with the location.”
The Board of Peace announcement comes a week after Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff unveiled the launch of “Phase Two” of the , formally starting the “demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction” of the territory.
Phase One faced setbacks because Hamas did not hand over the final deceased hostage and due to Israeli airstrikes that occurred after the October cease-fire took effect.
Moving forward, the Board of Peace will oversee the that will manage day-to-day rebuilding efforts. As announced last week, the committee will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
Ahead of the Board of Peace’s official signing and ratification, Trump ran through a long list of what he sees as his foreign accomplishments.
Praising the “unmatched skill of the U.S. Military,” he recalled last year’s strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites. “Iran wants to talk, and we will,” he added—apparently referencing the U.S. to act over the deadly Iran protests. Trump also lauded his recent , which led to the capture and detention of ousted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Shifting back to his board members, Trump called the signatories “great people, great leaders” and said the organization is already “operating smoothly.”
While it’s noted other members may sign later, here’s the full list of today’s Board of Peace signatories:
- Argentina: President Javier Milei
- Armenia: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
- Azerbaijan: President Ilham Aliyev
- Bahrain: Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
- Bulgaria: Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov (Serving in a caretaker role after his resignation)
- Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orban
- Indonesia: President Prabowo Subianto
- Jordan: Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi
- Kazakhstan: President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev
- Kosovo: President Vjosa Osmani
- Mongolia: Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar
- Morocco: Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita
- Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- Paraguay: President Santiago Pena
- Qatar: Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani
- Saudi Arabia: Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al‑Saud
- Turkey: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
- United Arab Emirates: Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority Khaldoon Al Mubarak
- Uzbekistan: President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev
The “New Gaza”
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, laid out the board’s vision for Gaza’s reconstruction—displaying mock-ups of high-rises along the enclave’s seafront. He proposed creating different zones to boost “coastal tourism” and economic prosperity.
“New Gaza could be a hope—a destination with lots of industry, a place where people there can thrive,” Kushner said, estimating some construction could be completed in the next two to three years.
Voicing complete confidence in the proposal, he said: “We don’t have a ‘Plan B’—just a master plan.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio bolstered the proposal, calling the board a “new era and a new phase.” He added it could have an impact beyond Gaza, stating: “It will serve as an example of what’s possible in other parts of the world.”
