Trump unexpectedly sets price for countries' permanent membership in Peace Board
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump is proposing that countries seeking a permanent seat on the newly created Peace Board make a financial contribution of at least $1 billion, according to Bloomberg.
According to the draft document, US President Donald Trump would become the first chair of the Peace Board and would personally determine which countries are invited to join. Decisions within the body would be adopted by a majority vote, with each member state having one vote, but all decisions would require final approval by the chair.
The draft charter also stipulates that member states would hold their seats for up to three years, with the possibility of renewal at the chair’s discretion. This term limit would not apply to countries that contribute more than $1 billion in cash to the Peace Board within the first year after the charter enters into force.
The document describes the Peace Board as an international organization aimed at promoting stability, restoring legitimate governance, and ensuring lasting peace in regions affected by conflict or at risk of it. The organization would formally begin operating once at least three countries agree to join under the charter.
The draft further grants the US president authority to approve the organization’s official symbols, including its seal. The White House has so far declined to comment officially on the initiative.
The proposal has raised concerns among critics, who argue that Trump may be seeking to create an alternative or rival to the United Nations, which he has repeatedly criticized in the past.
According to Bloomberg, the US president has already invited several world leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, to take part in the Peace Board’s work on postwar governance in the Gaza Strip. This structure would operate within the broader architecture of the new Peace Board.
At the same time, the initiative has drawn criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that the parameters of such a plan had not been coordinated in advance with Israel.
Sources said several European countries have also received invitations to join the Peace Board. However, the draft charter reportedly states that control over the organization’s financial resources would remain with the chair, a provision that has sparked serious objections among potential participants. Some states are already opposing the proposed document and coordinating joint efforts to block the initiative.
Under the draft, the Peace Board would be required to hold voting sessions at least once a year, as well as additional meetings at times and locations determined by the chair. The agenda would also be set with the chair’s approval. Separate non-voting consultative meetings of an executive council are envisaged, to be held at least once per quarter.
In addition, Trump would be empowered to remove states from Peace Board membership, although such a decision could be blocked by a two-thirds vote of member countries. The charter also states that the chair may appoint a successor at any time.
On January 16, the White House announced who would represent the United States on the Peace Board. On January 15, Trump formally announced the creation of the Peace Board, saying it would oversee postwar governance in the Gaza Strip. It has also emerged that Trump’s team is considering establishing a similar Peace Board model to address the war in Ukraine.
