President Trump has launched a new initiative called the Board of Peace, aimed at overseeing a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza. The board was set up as a changeable body under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803. It includes leaders from various countries, and its role may expand beyond just Gaza. President Trump chairs the board, giving him executive oversight authority. The White House hopes this board will help fulfill all 20 points of Trump’s thorough peace plan.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is an executive board member. Steve Witkoff serves as the U.S. special envoy on the board. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, is also a board member. Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair has been appointed to the executive board, while senior advisors Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum manage daily operations.
More than 50 countries have been invited to join the board, and as of January 21, 2026, about 20 to 25 nations have accepted. Remarkably, eight Muslim-majority countries, including Qatar and the UAE, have formally joined. Additionally, the formation of the Board of Peace is part of the U.S. commitment to international collaboration in support of Gaza’s transition to peace.
However, not all countries are on board. France declined the invitation, citing concerns over the board’s broad mandate. Norway and Sweden are delaying their decisions until they get clearer membership terms, while Slovenia rejected participation due to fears that the board could threaten the U.N. Charter-based international order. The U.S. has refused to pay mandatory dues to the U.N. recently, which further complicates the situation.
Russia and China are still considering their invitations as they hold veto power at the Security Council, and Britain is also in an assessment phase.
The establishment of the Board of Peace raises questions about the future of the U.N. Security Council. U.N. officials worry that this new structure could undermine decades of multilateral peace efforts. Some middle powers fear that collective problem-solving is at risk.
As the board gains traction, it could challenge the role of traditional international organizations, stirring significant global debate.
