According to multiple U.S. media reports, the administration of President Donald Trump is proposing a controversial new international initiative: a 'Board of Peace' where countries can buy a permanent seat for a staggering $1 billion.
A Price Tag for Peace and Influence
The initiative, first detailed by Bloomberg, outlines a board chaired by Trump himself. The White House has reportedly extended invitations to a select group of world leaders to join, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney of Canada.
A draft charter for the board, obtained by media outlets, states that member states would typically serve a three-year term. However, that limit is waived for any country that contributes more than $1 billion in cash funds to the board within the first year of the charter taking effect, effectively granting them indefinite membership.
From Gaza to Global Ambitions
The board was initially conceived to oversee the massive task of rebuilding the Gaza Strip following the recent conflict. The proposed structure includes a main board, a Palestinian committee of technocrats to govern Gaza, and an executive advisory board.
However, the board's charter suggests a far broader mandate. It describes the Board of Peace as an international organization seeking to "promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict." This language does not appear to restrict its role solely to the Palestinian territories.
A Challenge to Established Institutions
The document, reportedly sent to dozens of world leaders in January 2026, takes a clear swipe at existing global bodies. It calls for the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed, a sentiment aligning with Trump's frequent criticism of organizations like the United Nations.
This move follows Trump's announcement earlier in January that the U.S. would withdraw from approximately 66 global organizations and treaties, many affiliated with the UN. The board's charter grants significant power to the chairman, Trump, including the authority to invite members, remove them (subject to a two-thirds veto), and choose his own successor.
As the board takes shape, other reported invitees include the leaders of Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada. Trump has also named U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and senior advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as members. The proposed lineup has already drawn objections from Israel, particularly regarding the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari officials on a Gaza-focused executive committee.
