Trump Rolls Out ‘Board of Peace’ Charter

President Donald Trump unveiled and signed Thursday the charter for his “Board of Peace,” formalizing a body the White House first pitched last fall as part of its Gaza plan and now framing it as a wider forum for addressing conflicts worldwide.

At a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Trump released and signed the charter, attended by representatives from 21 countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kazakhstan and Turkey.

Trump said at the ceremony that he’d settled “eight wars” and hoped that the war in Ukraine was next, calling the conflict with Russia “one that I thought was going to be an easy one turned out to be probably the most difficult.” He claimed that the war in Gaza is “coming to an end” with only “little fires” to put out remaining. He also claimed that Iran “does want to talk, will talk.”

“One year ago the world was on fire,” he said. “A lot of people didn’t know it.”

A U.S. official told CBS News that countries do not have to pay a reported $1 billion to join and said any money raised would be directed toward rebuilding Gaza under strict financial controls.

The board was first pitched as a transitional body to coordinate Gaza’s redevelopment funding until the Palestinian Authority reforms and can retake control. The White House said it is key to carrying out the 20-point plan, including mobilizing resources and ensuring accountability.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, presented a slide at the ceremony that was a plan to “redevelop Gaza” with images of shiny skyscrapers. Dubbing the area a full “free zone,” Kushner said there was no “plan B” if Hamas did not demilitarize — and the Board of Peace was key to that negotiation. He also said that rebuilding Gaza would bring it to “100% employment.”

At the end of the event Trump discussed the plan for Gaza noting that he’s a “real estate person at heart, and it’s all about location.”

“And I said look at this location on the sea. Look at this beautiful piece of property, what it could be for so many people,” Trump said.

The White House also set up a separate Gaza board to oversee implementation on the ground.

Trump is the board’s inaugural chairman and will hold sweeping authority under the charter, including control over membership and the body’s internal structure.

The president has sent mixed signals on whether the board is meant to rival the United Nations. He has said it “might” replace the United Nations, arguing the U.N. should continue because of its “potential.” Special envoy Steve Witkoff has rejected claims that the Board of Peace is a U.N. alternative, describing it as a group of leaders meant to “achieve peace.” Trump said at the ceremony that “everybody wants to be a part of it and we’ll work with everybody including the United Nations” but took a dig at the body by saying the U.N. was not involved in any of the negotiations he had brokered.

The administration has already named a founding executive board that includes Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kushner, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, financier Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga and deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.

The rollout comes as the invite list of more than 50 countries has split U.S. allies. Witkoff said in an interview in Davos with CNBC that “north of 20, maybe 25” world leaders have accepted, including key Middle East partners Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that he agreed to join the board, despite initially criticizing the makeup of its executive members.

Norway and Sweden have declined or held off, citing concerns about the terms. France has also indicated it will not join, warning the board could undercut the United Nations. Trump threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne if France does not join.

The U.N. Security Council approved a Gaza-only version of the board in November through 2027, with six-month reporting and authorization for a temporary stabilization force.

The invitations have also drawn scrutiny because Trump said he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Belarus has accepted, even as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Russia and China have not publicly committed. Ukraine has said it is reviewing the invitation.