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Inaugural Trump‑Led Board of Peace Meets; India, South Korea Observe, India Signs UN Settlement Condemnation

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  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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  • This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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  • Le camp de réfugiés Al-Qadisiyah, à Khan Younès (Gaza), le 13 février 2026.ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD POUR « LE MONDE »
    Le camp de réfugiés Al-Qadisiyah, à Khan Younès (Gaza), le 13 février 2026.ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD POUR « LE MONDE »
    Image: Le Monde
    Le camp de réfugiés Al-Qadisiyah, à Khan Younès (Gaza), le 13 février 2026.ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD POUR « LE MONDE » (ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD POUR « LE MONDE ») Source Full size

Board of Peace Convenes in Washington on Feb 19, 2026 The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace hosted the first session of the Board of Peace for Gaza, drawing representatives from more than 40 nations, including 27 formal members and the European Union as an observer [5][8][10]. Delegates gathered to discuss Gaza reconstruction, a stabilization force, and humanitarian coordination [8][9]. The meeting was opened by President Trump, who raised a gavel to signal the start of the summit [2].

Funding Pledges Differ Across Reports Trump announced a multibillion‑dollar commitment for Gaza, with The Hindu reporting a $10 billion U.S. pledge [3], AP noting a collective $7 billion from nine members [5], and other outlets citing $5 billion pledged by board participants [8][9][10]. Donor nations mentioned include Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait [6]. The disparity reflects evolving commitments as the board’s fundraising effort proceeds.

India and South Korea Participate as Observers India sent Chargé d’affaires Namgya Khampa to the Washington session, attending in an observer capacity without joining the board [1][3][4]. South Korea was represented by former ambassador Kim Yong‑hyon, also as an observer, while its government said it will “prudently review” possible future membership [2][6]. Both countries’ participation underscores their interest in the initiative despite not holding voting rights.

India Joins UN Statement Condemning West Bank Settlements After initially abstaining, India signed a UN‑read statement on Feb 17 condemning Israel’s expansion of West Bank settlements, adding its signature more than 24 hours later [1]. The declaration, endorsed by over 100 states, reaffirms India’s support for a sovereign Palestine based on pre‑1967 borders [1]. This diplomatic move coincided with India’s observer role at the Board of Peace, highlighting parallel tracks in its Middle‑East policy.

UN Officials Emphasize Continued Central Role UN Deputy Secretary‑General Tom Fletcher stressed that the Board of Peace is not intended to replace the United Nations, noting the UN’s 193‑member breadth versus the board’s roughly twenty members [7]. He described the board’s activities as complementary to existing multilateral efforts and reiterated the UN’s mandate over humanitarian coordination [7]. The statement came amid broader debate over the board’s legitimacy and its relationship with established international institutions [4][10].

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Timeline

Oct 7, 2023 – Hamas militants launch a surprise assault on Israel, killing more than 1,400 civilians and igniting the Israel‑Hamas war that later prompts a U.N. Security Council‑backed 20‑point ceasefire plan referenced by Trump [25].

Jan 8, 2026 – President Trump’s administration appoints Bulgarian diplomat Nick Mladenov to lead the Gaza ceasefire board, tasking him with supervising the second phase of the U.S. 20‑point plan that includes a technocratic Palestinian government, Hamas disarmament, an international security force and reconstruction [25].

Jan 9, 2026 – Israel’s prime minister’s office confirms Mladenov’s appointment as head of the Gaza board, highlighting his UN peace‑negotiation background and framing the role as a bridge of trust between Israel and the Palestinians [26].

Jan 17, 2026 – Trump sends invitation letters to world leaders—including Argentina’s Milei and Paraguay’s Peña—inviting them to become founding members of a “Board of Peace” that will address global conflicts beyond Gaza, citing the U.N.‑backed 20‑point ceasefire plan as its legal basis [21].

Jan 17, 2026 – Israel’s foreign ministry protests the U.S. announcement of a Gaza executive committee, saying the plan was not coordinated with Jerusalem and contradicts Israeli policy; Prime Minister Netanyahu orders his team to raise the issue with Secretary of State Marco Rubio [22].

Jan 17, 2026 – The White House unveils two Gaza boards—a founding Executive Board dominated by Americans and a Gaza Executive Board chaired by Nick Mladenov—without any Palestinian names, prompting UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and others to warn of a “colonial‑style” solution [24].

Jan 18, 2026 – The U.N. Security Council formally endorses Trump’s 20‑point Gaza ceasefire plan, providing the diplomatic foundation for the new Board of Peace [11].

Jan 18, 2026 – Trump launches the Board of Peace at Davos, presenting himself as lifelong chairman and revealing a leaked charter that grants him power to invite members, create subsidiaries and appoint a successor; the charter sets a $1 billion fee for permanent seats [2].

Jan 18, 2026 – The White House announces that about 60 nations have been invited to join the Board, with roughly 35 already signed, while European leaders voice serious doubts about the charter’s scope and its compatibility with the U.N. Charter [1].

Jan 18, 2026 – Seven Muslim‑majority states—Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar—sign on to the Board, joining Israel and expanding the roster to include the UAE, Bahrain, Albania and others; Putin’s acceptance remains under review [4].

Jan 18, 2026 – Israel’s prime minister convenes advisers after learning that the U.S. named Turkey’s foreign minister, a Qatari official, former UK prime minister Tony Blair and Jared Kushner on the Gaza Executive Board without Israeli coordination [5].

Jan 18, 2026 – The Board’s funding model offers permanent seats to nations that contribute $1 billion, while non‑paying members receive three‑year terms, a structure first reported by Bloomberg [19].

Jan 19, 2026 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirms that President Putin has been invited to join the Gaza Board of Peace and that Moscow is studying the details, while Belarusian President Lukashenko also receives an invitation [16].

Jan 19, 2026 – The White House extends invitations to at least eight additional countries, including Hungary, Vietnam, India and Australia, signaling a push to broaden the Board’s membership beyond its initial core [18].

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump’s draft charter widens the Board’s remit to “resolve global conflicts” and ties permanent membership to a $1 billion cash contribution; letters to leaders such as UAE President Sisi and Turkish President Erdogan underscore the ambition to create a new international organization [15].

Jan 20, 2026 – South Korea receives a formal invitation to join the Gaza peace board; the foreign ministry says the decision will be reviewed carefully [29].

Jan 21, 2026 – Seven Muslim‑majority nations publicly pledge to join the Board, marking a clear split with Western European states that have declined or deferred participation [14].

Jan 21, 2026 – Slovenia’s prime minister declines the invitation, warning that the Board “dangerously interferes with the broader international order” [4].

Jan 22, 2026 – The United Kingdom delays signing the Board, citing concerns over Vladimir Putin’s possible participation and the treaty‑like nature of the charter [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – Trump’s lifelong Board of Peace is inaugurated at Davos with 19 signatories; a leaked charter gives him broad authority to appoint members, dissolve bodies and name a successor, and he hints that the U.N. could be replaced [2].

Jan 23, 2026 – Trump withdraws Canada’s invitation after Ottawa signals it will not pay the $1 billion membership fee, underscoring financial friction and a setback in North‑American relations [1].

Jan 23, 2026 – Visa freezes and U.S. sanctions threaten participation of several invited states—including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus—raising concerns about a two‑tier Board membership [9].

Jan 23, 2026 – The Davos signing ceremony draws fewer than 20 signatories, with most Western European leaders absent, highlighting limited Western buy‑in [10].

Feb 19, 2026 – The Board of Peace holds its inaugural meeting in Washington, convening officials from 27 member states and observers from the EU; Trump announces a collective $7 billion pledge for Gaza relief, exceeding the earlier $5 billion figure [6][7].

Feb 19, 2026 – Trump lists South Korea among future Gaza reconstruction donors, alongside Japan, the Philippines and Singapore, while noting that China and Russia are also expected to contribute [28].

Feb 20, 2026 – South Korea observes the inaugural meeting as an observer, sending former ambassador Kim Yong‑hyon and indicating that formal membership will be “prudently reviewed” [27].

Feb 19, 2026 – UN Deputy Secretary‑General Tom Fletcher, speaking from Paris, says the Board’s mandate complements rather than replaces the United Nations and stresses that the U.N.’s 193‑member scale dwarfs the Board’s roughly twenty members [30].

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