Most of the world's influential Western democracies are expected to avoid the first meeting of the US-led Board of Peace later this month, according to reports. Key US allies including France, Germany, the UK and Canada are among those giving the board a wide berth, citing concerns over its cost and the outsized power granted to President Donald Trump.
The Board of Peace was created last year by a UN Security Council resolution with the stated aim of implementing a Gaza peace plan. However, its charter does not mention Gaza once, and Trump has signalled broader ambitions. In a January speech, he said the board could "do numerous other things" and "pretty much whatever we want to do" once fully formed.
The board's charter designates Trump as chair for as long as he wishes, with replacement possible only through voluntary resignation or a unanimous vote of the executive board. That board is appointed by Trump and includes his deputy national security adviser, two cabinet members and his son-in-law. Countries must pay $1bn to join, and so far only about 20 have signed up, mostly non-democracies such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Hungary.
France has explicitly declined to join, with officials citing potential conflict with the UN. Trump responded by threatening a 200% tariff on French wine. The board's charter calls for "a more nimble and effective international peace-building body", seen as a direct challenge to the UN's role.
