U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting the inaugural meeting of his so-called “Board of Peace” in Washington, bringing together representatives from more than 20 countries to unveil plans for the reconstruction of Gaza and outline a broader global peace agenda.
The meeting, to be held at the United States Institute of Peace, in Washington, D.C., marks the formal launch of a body Trump has described as having “unlimited potential.” Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump - who will serve as the board’s chairman for life - said the organisation would become “the most consequential International Body in History”.
Critics, however, argue the board represents an attempt to rival or sideline the United Nations, raising concerns among several of Washington’s traditional Western allies.
While the president insists the board will work “in conjunction with” the UN, several of Washington’s traditional European allies have declined to become members, citing concerns over its broad charter and governance structure.
The board was first unveiled in January on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner presented an ambitious redevelopment vision for Gaza featuring high-rise towers and coastal projects.
The central focus of Thursday’s session is Gaza’s reconstruction after the devastating war between Israel and Hamas. Trump has previewed what he calls major announcements, including more than $5 billion pledged by member states for humanitarian relief and rebuilding efforts.
The United Nations has estimated reconstruction costs at roughly $70 billion and says clearing the rubble from Gaza could take seven years, at the current pace.
A key element of the discussion will centre on a proposed International Stabilisation Force, designed to deploy to Gaza to support a Palestinian police force, oversee security arrangements and enable a phased Israeli withdrawal under the administration’s 20-point peace plan.
The plan outlines a phased ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic governance structure during a transitional period. One of the most contentious aspects - the demilitarisation of Hamas - remains unresolved, and no country has yet publicly confirmed final troop commitments to the stabilisation force.
An Israeli official has indicated that planning assumptions envision up to 20,000 personnel.
The White House invited 50 countries to join the Board of Peace. Twenty-six have signed on as founding members, while at least 14 have declined.
Among Middle Eastern participants are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Türkiye.
Israel is participating, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expected in Washington. There is no Palestinian representative on the Board.
Indonesia and Pakistan have also joined the board, with President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending. Both leaders may face political pressure at home, where public support for the Palestinian cause is strong.
Hungary and Belarus are among the members as well, despite Belarus being under U.S. and European sanctions over its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declined her invitation, though the EU will send its Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, as an observer. Italy will also attend as an observer.
Hungary and Bulgaria have joined as members, while Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Romania are dispatching representatives in observer capacities.
From Central Asia, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are expected to attend, alongside Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
India is reviewing its invitation but is not sending representation, while Australia and New Zealand have declined or sought further clarity. The United Kingdom and France have also declined the invitation.
According to U.S. officials, Trump will chair the meeting in a format similar to a Cabinet session.
Member states were initially told they would have two minutes each to speak, though that allocation has reportedly been reduced to 90 seconds.
Scheduled speakers include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who sits on the board’s executive committee.
Discussions are expected to cover security, humanitarian coordination and the Palestinian technocratic committee intended to administer Gaza.
The meeting also comes amid heightened tensions with Iran.
Trump has warned that the U.S. could take military action if a nuclear agreement is not reached in the coming weeks.
Diplomats attending the session are expected to discuss Iran on the sidelines, with several signalling that escalation should be avoided given the region’s strategic importance to global energy supplies and trade.
Despite the president’s expansive rhetoric - including his assertion that the board’s ambitions extend “far beyond Gaza” towards “world peace” - significant questions remain about its effectiveness, funding commitments and long-term structure.
No country has publicly detailed specific reconstruction contributions, and it remains unclear which states will commit the reported $1 billion threshold required for permanent membership, or what that money will go towards.
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