Trump Unveils Lifelong “Board of Peace” at Davos, 19 Nations Sign, Western Leaders Decline
Updated (4 articles)
Launch Marks Trump’s Lifelong Chairmanship and Limited Western Attendance On Jan 22‑23, President Donald Trump introduced the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos, declaring himself lifelong chairman and signing the charter before a delegation of 19 countries [1][2][3][4]. The ceremony attracted fewer than 20 signatories, far short of the 35 expected earlier in the week [1]. Western European leaders were notably absent, with Britain, France, Norway and Sweden publicly declining participation [1][2][3]. Trump framed the board as a global peacemaking instrument that could complement, and potentially replace, parts of the United Nations [2][3].
Membership Skews Toward Middle East, Asia, and South America While Key Allies Opt Out The roster includes several Middle‑Eastern and Asian states, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu (who did not attend) [1][3]. Russia’s Vladimir Putin was floated as a potential member but signaled hesitancy, citing ongoing strategic consultations [4]. Canada’s invitation was withdrawn, and its parliament must still approve any future membership [2]. Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan and other regional partners expressed interest, underscoring a controversial and geographically diverse lineup [1].
Charter Grants Trump Broad Powers and Sets $1 Billion Seat Fee, Raising UN Concerns The leaked charter gives Trump authority to invite members, create subsidiary bodies, and appoint a successor if incapacitated [3][4]. Permanent seats require a $1 billion contribution earmarked for Gaza reconstruction, prompting criticism that the model could invite corruption and sideline the United Nations [1][3]. UN officials warned the board might undermine multilateral order and stressed the need for inclusive representation [3]. Critics also note the charter’s focus on Gaza without explicitly naming the territory, adding to ambiguity about its mandate [3].
Parallel Diplomatic Moves Include Rafah Opening, Tariff Threats, and High‑Level Meetings Ali Shaath, head of Gaza’s future technocratic government, announced the Rafah border crossing would open in both directions the following week, though Israel has not confirmed the plan [2]. Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on states doing business with Iran, while also moving ships toward the country, signaling continued pressure without new strikes [2]. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a closed‑door session described as “very good,” and Zelensky later indicated trilateral talks with the United States and Russia would commence in the United Arab Emirates [4]. Elon Musk mocked the board at Davos, reflecting broader skepticism among global leaders [4].
Sources
-
1.
CNN: Trump’s Board of Peace draws limited Western turnout at Davos ceremony – Highlights the sub‑20 signatory launch, Western absences, board’s origin for Gaza reconstruction, and $1 billion fee model .
-
2.
AP: Trump unveils Board of Peace at Davos after Greenland furor – Reports 19 signatories, Western declines, Canada invitation withdrawal, Rafah crossing announcement, and looming 25 % Iran tariffs .
-
3.
BBC: Trump's lifelong Board of Peace launches at Davos amid mixed international reaction – Details Trump’s lifelong chairmanship, charter powers, member composition, UN warnings, and split global response .
-
4.
Newsweek: Musk mocks Trump's Board of Peace at Davos, signaling broader skepticism – Covers board inauguration, Musk’s joke, Putin’s hesitancy, Zelensky meeting, and partner concerns about the board’s mandate .
Timeline
2025 – Trump’s 20‑point Gaza ceasefire plan receives endorsement from the UN Security Council, laying the diplomatic groundwork for the later Board of Peace concept. [4]
Early Jan 2026 – A leaked charter grants Trump lifelong chairmanship of the Board of Peace, authority to appoint members, dissolve subsidiaries and name a successor, and sets a $1 billion fee for permanent seats. [1]
Jan 22, 2026 – Elon Musk opens his Davos session with a joke about “peace vs. piece,” referencing Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace and highlighting its high‑profile impact on the summit. [3]
Jan 22, 2026 – President Donald Trump formally unveils the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum, signs its charter and declares the body a “global peacemaker” that could work alongside—or eventually replace—parts of the United Nations. [3][1]
Jan 22, 2026 – Trump holds a closed‑door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, describing it as “very good,” and Zelensky later announces that trilateral talks among the United States, Ukraine and Russia will begin in the United Arab Emirates. [3]
Jan 22, 2026 – Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is still consulting strategic partners before deciding on Board membership and hosts Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow, signaling a potential Russian counter‑balance to U.S. diplomacy. [3]
Jan 22, 2026 – Ali Shaath, head of Gaza’s future technocratic government, announces that the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions “next week,” a plan not yet confirmed by Israel. [4]
Jan 22, 2026 – Trump withdraws Canada’s invitation to join the Board, noting that leaders such as Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Poland’s Karol Nawrocki must secure parliamentary approval before signing. [4]
Jan 22, 2026 – Norway, Sweden and France publicly decline participation, while Canada remains undecided, underscoring skepticism among traditional Western allies. [4]
Jan 22, 2026 – The Board launches with 19 signatory countries, though Trump projects that more than 50 nations could eventually join. [4][1]
Jan 22, 2026 – Trump tells reporters the Board “could act in concert with the United Nations” and even suggests it might replace the UN’s role, prompting UN Secretary‑General António Guterres to warn that “the law of power must not supplant the rule of law.” [1]
Jan 22, 2026 – UN Under‑Secretary‑General Martin Griffiths warns that the Board’s creation reflects failures of the UN Security Council and could undermine the multilateral order if it lacks broad, inclusive representation. [1]
Jan 22, 2026 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomes the Board, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper cautions against including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and a bloc of Muslim‑majority states calls for a Gaza‑focused peace agenda. [1]
Jan 23, 2026 – A signing ceremony on the sidelines of Davos draws fewer than 20 signatories, well below the anticipated 35, with most attendees from the Middle East, Asia and South America and minimal Western European presence. [2]
Jan 23, 2026 – Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko signs onto the Board, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu is listed as a member despite not attending, and Russia’s Putin remains a “potential” member, illustrating the controversial and wide‑ranging lineup. [2]
Jan 23, 2026 – Britain, France and Norway formally decline to join, China remains undecided, and Zelensky stresses the incompatibility of sitting at the same table with Moscow, highlighting the Board’s diplomatic challenges. [2]
Jan 23, 2026 – The Board’s funding model requires a $1 billion fee for permanent seats, with contributions earmarked for Gaza reconstruction, prompting critics to warn of corruption risks and the potential bypass of the United Nations. [2]
Late Jan 2026 (next week) – The Rafah crossing is expected to open bidirectionally, a development that could reshape humanitarian access to Gaza if Israel confirms the plan. [4]
Late Jan 2026 (upcoming) – The United States threatens a 25 percent tariff on states that continue business with Iran, a pressure tactic linked to broader regional tensions surrounding the Board’s activities. [4]
Future 2026 onward – Trump anticipates that more than 50 countries will join the Board, with Italy and Poland needing parliamentary approval before accession, and he positions the Board as a test case for handling the Ukraine conflict, Gaza reconstruction and Iran‑related disputes. [4][1]