On January 22, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump signed the charter for the newly created "Council of Peace" (Board of Peace), positioning it as an alternative to the United Nations. The ceremony drew representatives from countries in the Middle East and South America, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Argentina, and Paraguay, as well as the Prime Ministers of Hungary, Viktor Orban, Armenia’s Nikol Pashinyan, and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, according to Meduza.
The event also saw nearly 20 delegates from various nations take the stage with Trump, though notably, no traditional Western European allies of the US were present, CNN reported.
In his speech, Trump emphasized that the Council would cooperate with organizations like the UN. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed that the Council of Peace has now officially been recognized as an international organization.
From Gaza to Global governance
Initially conceived by Trump as a governing body for the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of conflict, the scope of the Council has expanded significantly. Its charter suggests the Council’s role will be far broader, potentially making it a rival to the UN.
Trump will serve as the Council's Chairman, and countries will be invited to contribute $1 billion each to gain lifetime membership. Upon returning to Washington from Switzerland, Trump told reporters on his plane that he was open to remaining Chairman even after his second term ends, possibly for life. "I have the right to do so if I wish. Ultimately, I’ll decide," Trump said, adding that while some had urged him to stay in the position, he was not sure if he wanted to.
Structure of the Council of Peace
The Council of Peace will operate as a global board of directors, with Trump holding the position of Chairman. Even after his presidency ends, he will continue to represent the United States in the role. The Chairmanship is non-elective, and Trump will appoint his successor, but can only be removed through voluntary resignation or incapacity. Trump will act as a controlling shareholder rather than a representative of the US.
Membership in the Council will be limited to countries, not individuals, and nations must be invited by Trump. Membership terms will last three years, but countries that contribute $1 billion by January 22, 2027, will become permanent members. A two-thirds majority of Council members would be required to expel any country. The Council operates without binding international legal obligations and relies on voluntary contributions. It is structured as a non-profit international organization (NGO), so no parliamentary ratification is necessary for countries to join.
Critics have dubbed the Council a “pay-to-play club,” while supporters argue that nations contributing to global governance should have more influence.
Who’s in the Council of Peace?
Nearly 60 countries have been invited to join the Council of Peace, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. However, several European nations plan to decline participation, partly due to Russia’s invitation. Trump explained that the Council needed powerful countries, not “children.”
At the Davos ceremony, the charter was signed by the following representatives:
· Bahrain Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
· Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita
· Argentine President Javier Milei
· Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
· Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
· Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov
· Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
· Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
· Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi
· Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
· Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani
· Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
· Paraguayan President Santiago Peña
· Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
· Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud
· Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
· UAE President’s Office Head Khaldoon Al Mubarak
· Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
· Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar
China, Russia, and several other countries have yet to provide a final response. Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the $1 billion fee could be sourced from Russia’s frozen assets in the US.
Several Western countries, including the UK, France, Sweden, and Norway, have declined the invitation, with Canada seemingly following suit after its Prime Minister criticized Trump’s policies at Davos.
The Ukraine dilemma
Among the invitees is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with Trump in Davos. While Zelensky received an invitation, analysts note that his participation may be complicated due to the potential for cooperation with Belarus and possibly Russia. Despite this, Trump’s support for Ukraine is now seen as crucial for Kyiv, perhaps more than for any other nation.
As the Council of Peace continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether it will successfully challenge the long-standing influence of the United Nations in global governance.
