Davos, Switzerland — United States President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a new international body called the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos, casting himself once again as a global peacemaker despite widespread scepticism over what critics say is an attempt to rewrite the global order.
The launch ceremony, held at the Swiss ski resort, also featured the unveiling of ambitious US plans for a “New Gaza”, with Trump controversially describing the war-ravaged Palestinian territory as “great real estate.”
Trump was joined on stage by leaders and senior officials from 19 countries as they signed the Board of Peace’s founding charter.
“Well this is exciting,” Trump said. “This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created.”
The US president, who will serve as chairman of the new body, said the board was originally designed to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction following the war between Hamas and Israel, but its mandate has since expanded to resolving multiple international conflicts.
The expanded role has fuelled concerns that Trump is attempting to create a rival to the United Nations, particularly after he repeatedly accused the UN of failing to resolve global crises. Trump has previously expressed frustration at not winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
Under the new structure, countries seeking permanent membership are expected to pay $1 billion, a condition that has drawn criticism from several quarters.
Controversy also erupted after Trump extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Gaza ‘master plan’ unveiled
A major portion of the ceremony was devoted to Gaza’s future. The territory’s newly appointed administrator announced via video message that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would reopen in both directions next week.
Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a former property developer, presented slides of what he described as a “master plan” for Gaza’s reconstruction.
“It could be a hope. It could be a destination,” Kushner said.
Trump warned Hamas to disarm under the next phase of the ceasefire agreement or face severe consequences, declaring it would be the “end of them” if they refused. He also said he was open to talks with Iran.
Allies express doubts
Key US allies including France and Britain expressed reservations about the initiative, with London confirming it would not attend the ceremony.
Trump insisted, however, that the Board of Peace would work “in conjunction” with the United Nations, not replace it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the Gaza war, had been expected to attend but was absent.
Among the leaders on stage were Trump’s close populist allies — Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Argentina’s Javier Milei — alongside officials from several Middle Eastern monarchies seeking stronger ties with Washington.
Trump joked about their political standing, saying, “In most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular. That’s the way it goes in life.”
Putin, Zelensky, and Ukraine war
Trump said he expected about 50 countries to eventually join the board, though the final list remains unclear. Egypt confirmed that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had accepted Trump’s invitation but did not attend.
Trump also claimed Putin had agreed to join, though the Russian president later said he was still studying the invitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met Trump in Davos, has also been invited but said he could not imagine working alongside Putin. Trump expressed optimism about ending the war in Ukraine, admitting it had proved far harder to resolve than he initially thought.
Zelensky has meanwhile warned that Trump’s push to seize Greenland — a topic that dominated Davos discussions on Wednesday — could distract from the Ukraine conflict.
Trump said late Wednesday he had reached a “framework of a future deal” with European allies and would waive tariffs on them.
