$1 billion secures permanent seat on Trump’s Board of Peace as multiple countries receive invitations
The U.S. has invited at least a dozen countries to join a new Board of Peace for Gaza, offering permanent membership for a US$1 billion contribution. Official list likely to be released during Davos.
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By Torontoer Staff
The United States has invited at least a dozen countries to join President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, a multilateral body intended to oversee next steps in Gaza. Washington is offering permanent membership in exchange for a US$1 billion contribution, while other founding members would receive three-year appointments that carry no required contribution, a U.S. official said.
The White House is expected to publish an official list of founding members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The board is slated to play a role in implementing a ceasefire package and leading reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Who has been invited and who has accepted
Several countries have publicly confirmed invitations or acknowledged they received letters from President Trump asking them to be "founding members." Hungary and Vietnam have said they accepted the invitations. India, Australia, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan have been reported as recipients of invitations. Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania have previously said they were invited.
- Accepted: Hungary, Vietnam
- Invited, status public: India, Australia, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Pakistan
- Previously said invited: Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina, Albania
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Canberra would consult with the United States to "properly understand what this means and what’s involved." A senior official in India confirmed New Delhi received an invitation but declined to comment publicly while authorities review it. The full number of invitations has not been disclosed.
The Board of Peace would "embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict,"
text of President Trump’s letters to world leaders
How membership and funding are structured
According to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the charter has not been publicly released, a one-time US$1 billion contribution would secure a country a permanent seat on the board. Other founding members would receive three-year appointments without a mandatory financial contribution. The official said funds raised would be earmarked for rebuilding Gaza.
The board’s stated priorities include establishing a Palestinian committee in Gaza, deploying an international security force, overseeing disarmament of Hamas and managing reconstruction in the war-battered territory. The effort is intended to move the ceasefire, which took effect on Oct. 10, into its next and more complex phase.
Executive committee, partners and criticism
The White House simultaneously announced an executive committee to carry out the board’s work. The committee includes a mix of political figures, former officials and business leaders. Members named include Senator Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, World Bank president Ajay Banga, and Trump deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, along with Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay.
Representatives of Qatar, Egypt and Turkey were listed as part of the oversight structure for ceasefire monitoring. Turkey’s involvement is notable because, despite a strained relationship with Israel, it maintains ties with Hamas that could be influential in negotiations over disarmament and the group’s role in Gaza.
The committee "was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office
Israel lodged an unusual public objection to the executive committee, saying it had not been coordinated with Jerusalem and that it ran counter to Israeli policy. The criticism highlights diplomatic sensitivities surrounding any international body that seeks to influence the future governance and security arrangements in Gaza.
How this fits into the broader international landscape
The Board of Peace could compete with established international mechanisms, including the United Nations Security Council, for influence over Gaza’s future. The Security Council has been limited by divisions and vetoes, while the U.S. and other donors have reduced funding to some U.N. agencies, diminishing their capacity to lead reconstruction and governance initiatives.
Supporters of the board present it as a faster, more flexible alternative to multilateral institutions they view as gridlocked. Critics warn that bypassing traditional channels could fragment international response efforts and complicate coordination on long-term governance, accountability and aid distribution in Gaza.
What comes next
The United States is expected to issue a formal list of founding members at Davos. Invitations remain under review in several capitals and some governments say they will consult internally before deciding whether to join. The board’s charter and detailed operating rules have not been made public, leaving key questions about oversight, decision making and how funds would be allocated unanswered.
Observers and potential members will watch two developments closely: whether countries choose to provide the US$1 billion that would buy permanent seats, and how the board plans to coordinate with existing international organisations working in Gaza. Those decisions will shape whether the Board of Peace becomes a prominent international actor or a parallel effort with limited buy-in.
For now, governments and diplomats are preparing for the formal announcement, while international aid agencies and regional partners seek clarity on how responsibilities for reconstruction and security will be shared.
TrumpGazaBoard of PeaceDavosInternational Relations
