The Board of Peace, established by a UN Security Council resolution last year to implement a Gaza peace plan, is being widely avoided by key Western democracies amid concerns it has become a personal fiefdom for US President Donald Trump.
France, Germany, the UK and Canada are among those expected to skip the board's first meeting later this month, according to reports. Only about 20 countries—few of them democracies—have agreed to participate, including Albania, Argentina, Bahrain, Egypt, Hungary, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The board's charter grants Trump sweeping powers, naming him chair for life unless he resigns or is deemed incapacitated by a unanimous vote of an executive board he appoints. The charter does not mention Gaza, despite the board's original purpose, and Trump has signalled ambitions far beyond the conflict, saying in January: 'We can pretty much do whatever we want to do.'
Countries must pay $1bn to join, and the charter describes the board as 'a more nimble and effective international peace-building body'—a remark seen as a direct challenge to the UN. France cited concerns over conflict with the UN as a reason for staying out, prompting Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on French wine.
Trump's son-in-law and two cabinet members sit on the executive board, making a vote to remove him highly unlikely. Critics say the structure effectively allows Trump to intervene in other nations' affairs at will, undermining multilateral institutions.
