Trump Proposes New Global Peace Board with Billion-Dollar Membership Fee
Former United States President Donald Trump is working to create a powerful new international organization. He wants to lead this group personally as its chairman. The proposed body is called the "Board of Peace."
Trump has sent invitation letters to selected world leaders. He is asking them to join this new initiative. The board was originally part of a United Nations-backed plan for Gaza's reconstruction after the war.
What the Draft Charter Reveals
A draft charter obtained by Bloomberg shows interesting details about how this board would work. According to the document, Donald Trump would serve as the first chairman of the Board of Peace.
The chairman would have significant power. Trump would decide which countries get invited to become members. He would also need to approve all decisions made by the board.
Member states would normally vote on decisions. Each country present would get one vote. Decisions would pass by majority vote. However, nothing becomes final without the chairman's approval.
The Billion-Dollar Membership Rule
The draft charter contains a remarkable financial requirement. Most member states would serve three-year terms. These terms could be renewed by the chairman.
But there is a major exception. Countries that contribute more than $1 billion in cash during the first year get special treatment. These nations would not be limited to the three-year membership term.
The exact language from the draft states clearly: "The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter's entry into force."
This creates a two-tier membership system. Wealthy nations willing to pay substantial amounts gain longer-term participation rights.
From Gaza Focus to Broader Ambitions
While the Board of Peace began as part of Gaza reconstruction efforts, the charter suggests wider goals. The document makes no specific mention of Gaza despite its origins in UN Security Council resolutions.
The preamble criticizes existing international institutions. It calls for "a more nimble and effective international peace-building body." This language reflects Trump's longstanding skepticism about the United Nations.
Trump has previously questioned the UN's effectiveness. In a September speech, he asked: "What is the purpose of the United Nations?" He argued the organization fails to live up to its potential.
How the Board Would Operate
The board would have several operational components:
- Executive Board: Seven initial members have been named including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, former British PM Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, financier Marc Rowan, deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Gaza Management: Day-to-day operations in Gaza would be handled by Palestinian technocrats led by former Palestinian Authority official Ali Sha'ath, working under the board's supervision.
- Funding Mechanism: The charter states funding would come from "voluntary funding from Member States, other States, organizations, or other sources." It provides few details about how money would be spent or overseen.
International Responses and Next Steps
Several countries have already received invitations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are among those invited. Ottawa has confirmed Carney's acceptance of the invitation.
Argentine President Javier Milei shared his invitation letter publicly. In it, Trump wrote: "This Board will be one of a kind, there has never been anything like it!"
More announcements are expected at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump has said the board will include "the most important leaders of the most important nations."
The United Nations Security Council endorsed the Board of Peace in November as part of Trump's 20-point Gaza plan. The board received a two-year mandate that could extend to December 2027.
Despite this UN backing, the board's charter suggests ambitions beyond Gaza reconstruction. It positions itself as an alternative approach to international peacebuilding, one that prioritizes financial contributions and centralized leadership under Trump's chairmanship.
