At a Glance
- At least eight more countries invited to President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, charged with overseeing Gaza’s next steps
- $1 billion contribution buys permanent membership vs. three-year term with no fee
- Hungary and Vietnam have already accepted, India and Australia confirm invitations
Why it matters: The new body could sideline the UN Security Council on Gaza and reshape how global conflicts are managed.
President Donald Trump is rapidly expanding his newly created Board of Peace, sending invitations to at least eight additional countries while offering wealthy nations a fast track to permanent seats in exchange for $1 billion contributions, according to a U.S. official who outlined the still-secret charter.
Who Has Joined So Far
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a vocal Trump ally, accepted the invitation, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced Sunday on state radio. Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam also accepted, according to a foreign ministry statement.
Countries that confirmed receiving invitations in the past 48 hours:
- Jordan
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Pakistan
Earlier invitees include Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania. The total number of invitations remains undisclosed.
Pay-to-Stay Structure
The unpublished charter creates two tiers:
| Membership Type | Cost | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | $1 billion | Lifetime |
| Standard | $0 | 3 years |
All funds raised will fund Gaza reconstruction, the U.S. official said.
Gaza Mandate
Members will supervise the Oct. 10 cease-fire’s second phase, covering:
- Creation of a new Palestinian committee in Gaza
- Deployment of an international security force
- Disarmament of Hamas
- Rebuilding war-damaged infrastructure
Global Ambitions
In Friday letters obtained by some invitees, Trump said the board will “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict,” language hinting at a body positioned to compete with the UN Security Council. The 15-member council has been paralyzed on Gaza by repeated U.S. vetoes and faces funding cuts from Washington.
The Security Council did, however, endorse the U.S. 20-point Gaza cease-fire plan that authorizes the Board of Peace.
Executive Committee Revealed
The White House last week named an executive committee to implement the board’s vision:
- U.S. Secretary of State Rubio
- Trump envoy Steve Witkoff
- Senior adviser Jared Kushner
- Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair
- World Bank President Ajay Banga
- Deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel
- Israeli billionaire Yakir Gabay
- Representatives from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey
Israeli Pushback
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a rare critique Saturday, saying the committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,” without elaborating.
Still Deciding
India has received an invitation, a senior government official confirmed, while Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told national broadcaster ABC that officials will “talk it through” with Washington “to properly understand what this means.”
Next Milestone
Washington is expected to release the official membership list during the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Key Takeaways
- The Board of Peace is morphing from a Gaza-focused group into a potential alternative to the UN Security Council
- A $1 billion price tag guarantees lifetime influence, raising questions about pay-to-play diplomacy
- With Hungary and Vietnam already on board and major players like India and Australia weighing offers, the diplomatic landscape around Gaza – and beyond – could shift quickly once the official roster is revealed in Davos
