President Donald Trump inaugurated the founding charter of his “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The treaty will aim to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, in what is described as a new international system to oversee postwar stabilization in the war-torn strip.
“This isn’t the United States, this is for the world,” President Trump stated. "Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, and we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations."
Surrounded by several world leaders, President Trump gave a speech at the World Economic Forum seeking to gather support for the administration’s plan to support the ceasefire in Gaza and integrate reconstruction and governance resolutions, following more than two years of conflict.
President Trump asserted that 59 nations had backed the board, yet 40 countries appeared to be absent from the event, with some having declined the invitation. Canada, France, Germany, and other European countries were some of the countries not present.
President Trump previously announced that the board would replace functions associated with the United Nations. However, in his speech, he affirmed that the two organizations would work in tandem.
The charter is backed by a United Nations Security Council resolution, which advocates for a transitional structure for Gaza.
Ali Shaath, the leader of a new projected technocratic government in Gaza, was also present at the forum. Shaath announced at the event that the Rafah border crossing would be accessible from both sides the following week. Despite the claim, Israel did not confirm, instead stating that it would consider the matter.
Ahead of the event, the White House confirmed the “Executive Board” to “operationalize the Board of Peace’s vision.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio is one of the founders, alongside Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, and former U.K. Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair.
