U.S. President gathers members of the Board of Peace for first meet of body

INTERNATIONAL – ORGANISATIONS

20 FEBRUARY 2026

Establishment of the Board of Peace

• The Board of Peace was launched by Donald Trump in October 2025 as part of his 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
• The initiative was originally focused on Gaza but has since been given an expanded global mandate to address conflicts beyond the region.

Financial Commitments for Gaza Reconstruction

• At the inaugural meeting in October 2025, nine countries pledged $7 billion toward Gaza relief and reconstruction.
• The pledged amount is only a fraction of the estimated $70 billion required to rebuild Gaza after two years of war.
• The United States pledged an additional $10 billion, though the specific purpose of these funds has not been clarified.

Countries Supporting the Initiative

• The countries that pledged financial support include Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait.
• Indonesia expressed firm support for contributing to a proposed International Stabilisation Force in Gaza.

Ceasefire and Proposed Security Arrangements

• Although a ceasefire is currently in place, it remains fragile and uncertain.
• A key proposal discussed was the creation of an armed International Stabilisation Force to maintain security.
• The plan emphasises the disarmament of Hamas as a cornerstone of lasting peace.

Concerns Regarding the United Nations

• The expansion of the Board’s mandate has triggered concerns that it may function as a rival to the United Nations.
• The United Nations continues to play a central role in international crisis management.
• The United Nations Security Council held a high-level meeting on the Gaza ceasefire and developments in the West Bank.
• Mr. Trump stated that the Board would ultimately strengthen rather than replace the UN.

International Participation and Diplomatic Response

• More than 40 countries and the European Union confirmed participation in the meeting.
• Several countries attended as observers without formally joining the Board.
• Vatican officials and some U.S. allies expressed reservations about expanding the Board’s mandate beyond Gaza.