Trump’s Board of Peace meets for first time today: Who’s joining the Gaza plan and who’s staying away

US President Donald Trump attends the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

The US-led Board of Peace, aimed at post-war Gaza governance and reconstruction, holds its first meeting in Washington. While 26 countries join as founding members, major allies like the UK, Canada, France, and Germany remain absent amid controversy over its mandate.

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Months after a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a new international initiative aimed at Gaza’s future is formally taking shape in Washington. On Thursday, members of US President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace will meet for the first time at the US Institute of Peace to discuss funding, governance and reconstruction plans for Gaza.

The board was unveiled on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum last month and is envisioned as a transitional international mechanism to manage Gaza after the war. Its stated aim is to support stabilisation, rebuild civilian infrastructure and prevent a power vacuum once large-scale fighting has subsided.

Trump has positioned the initiative as historic. Writing on Truth Social, he called the board’s potential “unlimited” and said, “The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History.”

What is the Board of Peace supposed to do?

According to US officials, the Board of Peace is designed to coordinate post-war governance in Gaza while channelling international funding for reconstruction. The idea is to avoid a scenario where Hamas regains control or Gaza slips into prolonged chaos after the ceasefire.

The initiative seeks to combine political oversight, economic assistance and security coordination, though details about its legal mandate and long-term authority remain unclear. This lack of clarity is one reason several countries have chosen to stay out, at least for now.

Who is attending the Washington meeting?

The White House invited 50 countries to join the Board of Peace. Around 26 have agreed to participate as founding members.

From Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will attend.

Several European countries are participating in limited roles. While the European Union has declined to formally join, it is sending its Mediterranean commissioner Dubravka Suica as an observer. Hungary, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Albania have joined as full members.

According to Al Jazeera, Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Romania will attend as observers. Romanian President Nicusor Dan is expected to be present in person.

Among US allies in the Arab world, the UAE, Morocco and Bahrain were early supporters, followed by Egypt. Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Jordan and Qatar later confirmed their participation.

Central Asia will be represented by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev will also attend.

From Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam are expected.

From South Asia, Pakistan is the only country participating. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the inaugural session with a senior delegation.

Which countries are staying away?

Several major US allies are notably absent. The UK, Canada, France and Germany have neither joined the board nor sent observers.

India has acknowledged receiving an invitation but has not committed. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week, “We have received the proposal from the US side. It is still being examined.”

New Zealand has declined its invitation, citing the need for more clarity about the board’s role and authority.

The Vatican has also opted out. Pope Leo declined the invitation, arguing that crisis management and post-conflict governance should be handled through the United Nations rather than new ad hoc mechanisms.

Why the Board of Peace is controversial

While supporters see the initiative as a practical way to stabilise Gaza, critics argue it risks sidelining the UN and lacks a clear legal framework. Questions also remain about how decisions will be enforced and who ultimately controls security on the ground.

Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on funding commitments and broad strategy. Whether the Board of Peace becomes a durable institution or fades as another ambitious but short-lived initiative will depend on how these unresolved issues are addressed.