Washington, United States. President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his Board of Peace, initially intended to help end the Gaza war but now presented as a broader diplomatic forum that some in Europe and others fear could rival or undermine the United Nations.
Trump outlines role and relationship with the U.N.
At a signing ceremony, Trump said the board would work with others, including the United Nations, as he cited major diplomatic issues in the region and worldwide.
“Well, this is a very exciting day, long in the making, and many countries have just received their notice, and everybody wants to be a part of it, and we’ll work with many others, including the United Nations,” he said.
Membership and funding expectations
Trump, who will chair the board, has invited dozens of world leaders to join and said it would address global challenges beyond the stuttering Gaza truce, while also saying he does not intend it to replace the United Nations.
Some traditional U.S. allies have balked at joining, with Trump saying permanent members must help fund the board with a payment of $1 billion each, and some governments responding cautiously or declining the invitation.
Attendance and positions of major powers
Representatives from countries introduced as founder members were present, but Reuters could not immediately see representatives from other top global powers, or from Israel or the Palestinian Authority.
Apart from the United States, no other permanent member of the U.N. Security Council has committed to join. Russia said late on Wednesday it was studying the proposal after Trump said it would join. France has declined, Britain said it was not joining at present, and China has not yet said whether it will join.
U.N. resolution and scope of engagement
The board’s creation was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and U.N. spokesperson Rolando Gomez said U.N. engagement with the board would only be in that context.
Countries committed to join
About 35 countries have committed to join, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey and Belarus.
How do you think the Board of Peace could affect existing U.N.-led diplomatic efforts?
