From Armenia to Mongolia: the curious countries that joined Trump’s “Board of Peace” - and those that didn’t

US President Donald Trump formally launched his proposed “Board of Peace” on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, declaring that the war in Gaza was “really coming to an end” as the founding charter was signed.

To Gaza... and beyond, says Trump

The US-backed body was originally endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. Trump has, though, since expanded its remit into a global conflict-resolution forum, to be chaired by himself. And he’s proposing that he will do so as long as he desires, even when out of office. There’s also a billion-dollar joining fee. The White House confirmed that an executive board will run day-to-day operations, reinforcing US control over the initiative.

Around 20 countries were represented at the signing, largely from the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe. Several major Western nations were absent or declined to join. And their concerns were clear: mainly about governance of the board and, notably, the invitation extended to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who did not attend but is in talks with US officials and said to mulling over the idea.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain would not sign on at the moment, while France, Germany and others have rejected the proposal outright. The idea that a group focused on peace would be composed of leaders who’d struggle to defend their own case on the topic seems too much for some to swallow. And some weren’t taking it very seriously at all.

Countries represented at the signing

Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Mongolia

Key countries absent or declining

Canada (invite since withdrawn), France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, United Kingdom

Executive Board members

Marco Rubio; Steve Witkoff; Jared Kushner; Tony Blair; Ajay Banga; Marc Rowan; Robert Gabriel

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