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DAVOS, Switzerland – Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled “Board of Peace,” characterizing it as a challenge to the international rules-based order and a departure from established multilateral frameworks. Clark’s assessment, delivered in a recent newsletter from The Elders, a group founded by Nelson Mandela, comes as the board’s charter makes no mention of addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The UN Security Council initially endorsed the concept of a board to oversee interim administration in Gaza, where a ceasefire remains fragile and Palestinian civilians continue to be killed by occupying forces, according to Clark. However, the Trump administration’s iteration of the board appears to be positioned as an alternative to the UN Security Council, raising concerns about its legitimacy and purpose.
“This is not a proper way to run international affairs,” Clark wrote. She highlighted the inclusion of individuals indicted by the International Criminal Court among the invited members and the reported $1 billion price tag for permanent membership, calling it a fundamentally flawed approach to international cooperation.
Clark’s critique aligns with concerns voiced by Democracy Without Borders, which described the Board of Peace as “not a viable model” following Trump’s announcement at the World Economic Forum in Davos. A YouTube interview with Clark from January 23, 2026, further details her concerns regarding the rule of law and global power dynamics.
The Elders’ newsletter likewise addresses broader challenges to the multilateral system, noting the UN Charter’s 81st year and the increasing abuse of veto power by permanent Security Council members. Clark specifically cited Russia’s repeated vetoes regarding Ukraine and the United States’ vetoes concerning Israel-Palestine as examples of undermining the Council’s credibility.
At the Munich Security Conference, Clark engaged with international decision-makers on navigating a shifting global order. She echoed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s assessment of a “serious rupture” in the existing international order, emphasizing the need for collective action to reject a world governed by “might is right.”
The Elders have pledged to actively oppose any attempts to circumvent international law and to defend a system based on shared values and principles. The organization’s stance reflects a growing anxiety over the erosion of established norms and the potential for increased unilateralism in global affairs.
The UN Security Council’s original support for a Board of Peace focused specifically on Gaza’s interim administration, as highlighted by The Elders on Facebook. However, the Trump administration’s broadened scope and the absence of any focus on Gaza in the board’s charter have drawn sharp criticism from international observers.
