President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand his proposed “Board of Peace” into a global conflict-resolution body that would rival the United Nations, charging countries up to $1 billion for a permanent seat and placing himself firmly at its centre. According to a charter obtained by the Wall Street Journal, the initiative represents a sweeping attempt to recast the postwar international system around a US-led structure that bypasses existing multilateral institutions.
The Board of Peace was first announced last September as part of negotiations tied to a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, the charter circulated to prospective members makes no reference to Gaza or to the United Nations. Instead, it outlines what it calls a “nimble and effective international peace-building body” aimed at addressing conflicts worldwide, with Trump designated as chairman and participating governments serving as member states.
The document frames the project as a corrective to what it describes as the failures of traditional peace-building efforts. Its preamble criticizes existing approaches for fostering dependency and institutionalizing crises rather than resolving them, calling instead for a coalition of willing states focused on “practical cooperation and effective action.” The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the charter.
The expanded mandate highlights Trump’s broader push to dismantle or sideline elements of the international system established by the United States after World War II. He has long criticized that framework as ineffective, and earlier this month withdrew the US from 31 UN agencies and bodies, arguing that they operate contrary to American national interests. Analysts say the Board of Peace fits squarely within that strategy, offering an alternative platform where authority is concentrated in the hands of the US president.
“It’s hard not to read this as an attempt to establish a precedent in Gaza that could be used elsewhere,” said Julien Barnes-Dacey of the European Council on Foreign Relations. He warned that the plan signals an effort by Trump to dictate global outcomes, forcing countries to choose between aligning with his approach or being excluded from the process.
Major powers are expected to view the proposal with skepticism. China, Russia, France and Britain, which alongside the US hold permanent seats and veto power on the UN Security Council, are unlikely to welcome a body that could undermine that arrangement. Many smaller states, which rely on the UN as a forum where they can exert influence, are also expected to be wary.
Despite this, some governments are engaging cautiously. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this week that the UK is discussing the terms of the Board of Peace with allies. Russia has gone further, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirming that President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join. Peskov said Moscow is studying the details and seeking clarification from Washington, without addressing the proposed $1 billion fee for a permanent seat.
Under the charter, countries would normally serve three-year terms on the board, but that limit would be waived for those contributing $1 billion in cash, effectively granting them permanent status. While the document outlines the board’s mission to promote stability, lawful governance and enduring peace, it does not specify how the collected fees would be used.
Around 60 governments have reportedly received invitations, though reactions have so far been cautious. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed that he has accepted, praising Trump’s peace efforts and describing the invitation as an honour. In contrast, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has yet to respond to a personal invitation from Trump, who described the board as a distinguished group ready to shoulder the responsibility of building lasting peace.
Several Arab countries have expressed reservations, arguing that the board should initially focus solely on implementing the Gaza peace plan rather than expanding into other conflicts. Officials warned that creating an alternative global peace and security architecture under Trump’s control carries significant risks.
The charter grants Trump sweeping authority as chairman, including the power to appoint and remove member states and to veto board decisions. While votes would be decided by a majority of members present, all outcomes would remain subject to the chairman’s approval, with Trump also empowered to break ties and to establish additional entities to carry out the board’s mission. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the proposal underscores a dramatic reimagining of global diplomacy, one that places unprecedented power in the hands of a single leader.
