Prime Minister Shehbaz signs a charter in Davos as Pakistan becomes a member of the Trump-led Board of Peace.
– Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with other global leaders, signed the founding charter for the “Board of Peace,” a new international organization chaired by US President Donald Trump, on Thursday.
The event occurred at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, with representatives from 19 nations present to support the project.
The board, first established to ensure stability in Gaza during Israel’s two-year conflict with the enclave, now anticipates a broader authority to address international disputes. On Wednesday, Pakistan accepted Trump’s invitation to participate, indicating support for the platform, with the nation’s chief military officer, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also present at the signing ceremony.
Peace Board
Trump, in his capacity as chairman, addressed the assembly, characterizing the guests as “generally very popular leaders, though in some instances less so.” Such is the nature of existence. He underscored that the board would collaborate “in conjunction” with the United Nations, addressing allegations that it seeks to compete with the UN.
Leaders and senior officials from Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the UAE, and Uzbekistan executed the charter in conjunction with Trump. Permanent members must contribute $1 billion for membership, eliciting criticism that the board may transform into a “pay to play” iteration of the UN Security Council.
What constitutes Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ and which individuals have affiliated with it thus far?
Major global powers articulated skepticism. France opted not to participate, Britain announced its current non-attendance, and China has not yet provided a response. Russian President Vladimir Putin, invited by Trump, stated he was still evaluating the plan, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s participation but did not attend.
Trump’s invitation to these leaders, some under international scrutiny, has sparked discussion regarding the board’s makeup. He asserted, however, that “every nation desires to participate” and characterized the assembly as “stars… when you employ that inspired genius for peace, the antithesis of peace stands no chance.”
Gaza as a primary focus
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the board’s primary objective is to secure a durable truce in Gaza. Trump emphasized that Hamas must disarm in the subsequent phase of the peace deal, cautioning that noncompliance would indicate “their demise.”
Jared Kushner, US presidential adviser and designer of the Gaza plan, articulated that reconstruction financing and the demilitarization of Hamas are essential goals. Ali Shaath, designated to manage Gaza’s government as part of a 15-member technocratic team, declared that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt will reopen in both directions next week. He referred to it as a “lifeline and emblem of opportunity” for Palestinians.
Trump remarked that Phase 1 of the ceasefire had achieved unprecedented levels of humanitarian assistance and facilitated the repatriation of 20 Israeli hostages, claiming that the “initial steps toward a more promising future for the Middle East” were in progress. He proposed that the amalgamation of the Board of Peace and the UN may be “exceptionally distinctive for the world.”
The board’s overarching aspirations surpass Gaza. Trump asserted that Iran desires negotiations with the US, subsequent to the June 2025 American strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. The involvement of Putin has generated apprehensions throughout the current discussions to conclude the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Trump convened with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos, while Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow for discussions with Putin.
Zelensky has expressed concerns that Trump’s initiative to acquire Greenland, which has overshadowed discussions at Davos and jeopardized the transatlantic relationship, may distract attention from Russia’s invasion of his nation.
The board’s introduction occurs amid Trump’s dissatisfaction with his unsuccessful bid for the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his contentious assertion of having resolved eight disputes.