Donald Trump wants a new club to manage peace—and entry doesn’t come cheap.
According to a draft charter seen by Bloomberg, the US president is proposing a “Board of Peace” in which countries must contribute at least $1 billion to secure permanent membership. The plan, which would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and temporary governance, is already triggering concern among diplomats who see it as a potential rival to the United Nations.
Under the draft rules, Trump would serve as the board’s inaugural chairman, holding veto power over membership. Countries that do not pay the $1 billion fee would see their membership expire after three years, while big contributors would effectively buy permanent seats at the table.
🚨 United Nations Security Council acknowledges and endorses President Trump’s BOARD OF PEACE. pic.twitter.com/Qam0XpkLqx
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 17, 2025
The charter frames the initiative as a response to what it calls the failure of existing global institutions, arguing that peace now requires “the courage to depart from institutions that have too often failed.” That language has intensified fears that Trump is seeking to sideline—or even undermine—the UN’s traditional role in conflict management.
Gaza at the Center of the Plan
The Board of Peace is envisioned as an international body tasked with promoting stability, restoring governance, and securing long-term peace in conflict zones—starting with Gaza.
Trump has already sent invitations to a wide range of world leaders. Egypt, Turkey, Canada, Argentina, Jordan and Pakistan have confirmed receiving formal offers. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he has accepted the invitation “in principle,” while Egypt and Jordan say they are reviewing the proposal through internal legal channels.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received an invitation, reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to peace efforts in Gaza “in accordance with United Nations resolutions”—a carefully worded signal that Pakistan is wary of bypassing existing international frameworks.
European and Latin American leaders have also reportedly been invited, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Argentina’s Javier Milei, and Albania’s Edi Rama. Milei called participation an “honour,” while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been asked to join as a founding member.
Who Controls the Money?
One of the most controversial aspects of the draft charter is financial control.
Sources familiar with the document told Bloomberg that it suggests Trump himself would control the funds raised from membership fees. Diplomats say this provision alone could deter many countries, with several states already expressing strong opposition to the draft.
US officials argue the funds would be used to execute the board’s mandate in Gaza, particularly reconstruction and administrative stabilization. Critics counter that the lack of clear oversight mechanisms risks politicizing aid and concentrating unprecedented power in the hands of a single leader.
A High-Profile—and Contentious—Board
Trump has named a seven-member leadership team that blends diplomacy, finance, and political loyalty.
The board includes former UK prime minister Tony Blair, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Blair’s appointment is already controversial in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 Iraq war.
Two senior advisers—Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum—will oversee day-to-day operations, while former UN Middle East peace coordinator Nicholay Mladenov has been named high representative for Gaza.
A Rival to the UN?
The United Nations has reacted cautiously. A spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres said member states are free to form alternative groups, while emphasizing that the UN “will continue with its mandated work.”
That response reflects a broader diplomatic reality: many governments are reluctant to openly confront Washington, but are uneasy about a parallel peace structure that charges for influence and centralizes authority.
Whether Trump’s Board of Peace becomes a genuine governance mechanism or collapses under diplomatic resistance remains unclear. What is already evident, however, is that the proposal has reopened fundamental questions about who controls peace-building, who pays for it, and who decides Gaza’s future.
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