Trump Launches ‘Board of Peace’ at Davos: Full List of Participating and Opt-Out Countries

At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, January 22, US President Donald Trump formally unveiled his ambitious international initiative — the “Board of Peace” — positioning it as a new platform to oversee and sustain the ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas.

Trump presented the board as a global body, insisting it is not US-centric and hinting that it could one day rival or even replace certain functions of the United Nations.

Despite Trump’s confidence that “everyone wants to be a part” of the initiative, several major US allies have opted not to participate, while others remain undecided. The announcement comes amid continuing humanitarian challenges in Gaza, fragile ceasefire conditions, and heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Russia, and Ukraine.

Trump Announces ‘Board of Peace’ at Davos

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Trump framed the Board of Peace as a global effort aimed at stabilising conflict zones, beginning with Gaza.

“This isn’t the United States, this is for the world,” Trump said, adding, “I think we can spread it out to other things as we succeed in Gaza.”

The initiative was originally designed as a small group of world leaders to supervise the Israel–Hamas ceasefire but has since evolved into a broader and more ambitious framework. US President Donald Trump suggested the board could one day take over responsibilities currently handled by international organisations, including the United Nations.

Gaza Ceasefire and Rafah Border Developments

The announcement coincided with key developments on the ground. Ali Shaath, head of Gaza’s newly formed technocratic government, confirmed that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will open in both directions next week.

This follows Israel’s earlier commitment in early December to reopen the crossing, a move that had yet to materialise. The reopening is seen as a critical step toward easing humanitarian access for Gaza’s more than two million residents, who continue to face severe shortages after more than two years of conflict.

Ambitions Beyond Gaza

Board May Expand Its Mandate

Invitation letters sent to world leaders ahead of Davos suggested that the Board of Peace may not restrict its focus solely to Gaza. Trump has repeatedly spoken about the board potentially replacing some UN functions and even making the organisation obsolete in the long run.

However, during side meetings in the Swiss Alps, Trump adopted a softer tone, saying, “We’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” despite criticising the UN for what he described as insufficient efforts to resolve global conflicts.

Who Attended the Davos Unveiling

The event drew a mix of world leaders and senior diplomats, many of whom are known Trump allies. Those present included:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

• US special envoy Steve Witkoff

• Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key overseas negotiator

Also attending were Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Argentine President Javier Milei and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto were also among the participants.

Trump praised the attendees, telling them, “You’re the most powerful people in the world,” and added, “every one of them is a friend of mine”.

Countries That Have Accepted the Invitation

Confirmed Participants

The following countries have agreed to join the Board of Peace:
Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

Countries That Have Declined Participation

Opted Out for Now

Several close US allies have chosen not to participate:
France, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, The United Kingdom.

French officials clarified that while Paris supports peace efforts in Gaza, it is concerned that the board could undermine the UN’s role as the primary global conflict-resolution body.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain would not sign on “because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues.”

Countries Still Undecided

Noncommittal Invitees

The following nations have been invited but have not yet taken a final decision:
Cambodia, China, Croatia, Germany, India, Italy, The European Union’s executive arm, Paraguay, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine.

India is reportedly weighing the proposal carefully due to the sensitive geopolitical implications, while Pakistan has already accepted the invitation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is consulting its “strategic partners” before committing. He is also expected to discuss a proposal to contribute USD 1 billion to the board for humanitarian use during talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, though this would require US approval to unblock the funds.

Concerns Over Membership and Mandate

Criticism From Allies

Several governments have raised concerns about the board’s composition and scope. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob stated that “the time has not yet come to accept the invitation,” citing fears that the mandate may be too broad and could undermine international order based on the UN Charter.

Others questioned the inclusion of leaders such as Putin, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Roots in Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Plan

The Board of Peace originated from Trump’s 20-point Gaza ceasefire proposal, which received endorsement from the UN Security Council. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since agreed to join, despite earlier objections from his office regarding the board’s oversight committee.

Key to the ceasefire’s durability remains the disarmament of Hamas — a demand Israel considers non-negotiable and which Hamas has so far rejected.

Iran, Ukraine, and Broader Geopolitical Context

Trump’s peace initiative unfolds against a backdrop of rising tensions with Iran and stalled efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump recently threatened military action against Iran following a violent crackdown on protests but later said he received assurances that mass executions would not proceed.

Trump also expects to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos, though he has publicly expressed frustration with both Zelenskyy and Putin over their inability to reach a peace agreement.

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s unveiling of the Board of Peace marks a bold attempt to reshape global conflict management, starting with Gaza but extending far beyond. While the initiative has attracted support from dozens of countries, scepticism from key US allies and questions over its mandate highlight the challenges ahead. Whether the board becomes a transformative global institution or remains a controversial experiment will depend on its ability to deliver tangible results without undermining existing international frameworks.