WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump will host leaders from over two dozen nations in Washington this Thursday for the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace, an initiative aimed at promoting peacekeeping efforts globally. The meeting follows a signing ceremony held on January 22nd at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump described the board as potentially “one of the most consequential bodies” ever created.
The Board of Peace, formally established on January 22, 2026, is led by the United States government and has a stated purpose of fostering peace around the world. According to a United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, the board is tasked with overseeing the processes of the Gaza peace plan and authorized to deploy a temporary peacekeeping force to aid with reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, via the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
While more than 25 countries have accepted invitations to join the board, including those represented at the Davos signing, none of the major European allies of the United States have yet committed, with some outright rejecting the idea. Concerns center on the potential for the Board of Peace to rival the authority of the United Nations Security Council. U.S. Special envoy Steve Witkoff indicated on CNBC that up to 25 countries had accepted the invitation as of January 23rd.
The establishment of the Board of Peace was initially proposed in September 2025 and formally chartered on the sidelines of the 56th World Economic Forum. However, critics have questioned the board’s structure and funding, with The Guardian characterizing it as a “pay-to-play club.” Reports indicate that member countries will be expected to donate US$1 billion to the organization to renew their membership after the initial three-year period.
As of February 2026, 25 of the 62 countries initially invited have signed the board’s charter, but it has yet to garner support within the European Union. Few national leaders have publicly confirmed their participation or financial contributions. Experts suggest that Trump intends for the Board of Peace to function as an alternative to the United Nations Security Council, with the U.S. Holding veto power within the organization.
The inaugural meeting will be held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., the administrative center for the Board of Peace. The meeting’s agenda has not been publicly released, and it remains unclear what specific actions or agreements will be pursued during the discussions.