United States President Donald Trump formally launched his “Board of Peace” initiative on Thursday, signing its founding charter at the World Economic Forum in Davos alongside other world leaders.
Flanked by figures including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Trump declared, “We’re going to have peace in the world.” He added, “Just one year ago the world was actually on fire… Yet many good things are happening and the threats around the world are really calming down.”
The board originated from Trump’s 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council but has since expanded. Trump described it as potentially the “most prestigious board ever formed.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced at the signing, “Congratulations President Trump, the charter is now in full force, and the board of peace is now an official international organisation.”
Approximately 35 nations have committed to joining, with 60 invited. Countries seeking permanent membership must pay a $1 billion fee, and Trump will serve as permanent chairman even after leaving office, according to a copy of the charter.
The initiative has faced mixed reactions. Egypt and Israel agreed to join, while several European allies, including Norway, Sweden, France, and the UK, declined. The UK cited concerns over Russia’s invitation.
Trump defended inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus’s Aliaksandr Lukashenka, stating he wanted “everybody” who was powerful and could “get the job done.”
Regarding Ukraine, Trump expressed frustration with both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin, saying, “I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don’t, they’re stupid — that goes for both of them.”
Trump also linked his aggressive stance on Iran, including strikes on nuclear facilities in June, to achieving the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, arguing, “If we didn’t do that, there was no chance of making peace.”
