MENA Newswire, WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s administration is circulating plans for a new international body called the Board of Peace, with a proposal that countries could pay $1 billion to secure permanent seats, according to official documents and public statements from several invited governments. The initiative is described by the administration as a mechanism to coordinate governance, security arrangements, humanitarian support and reconstruction in Gaza following the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The proposed structure offers two tracks for participation. One track would grant permanent board status to countries that contribute at least $1 billion, according to draft charter language described in multiple reports. A second track would allow countries to serve time limited terms of three years without a required payment. The administration has said reporting that a $1 billion payment is required to join is misleading, while acknowledging that long term participation is tied to major financial commitments.
Officials and diplomats said invitations have been sent to roughly 60 countries, with some governments publicly confirming receipt. Hungary and Vietnam have said they accepted invitations, while other governments, including India, Jordan and Australia, have indicated they are reviewing the proposal. The administration has said the board is intended to marshal resources and establish a framework for decisions on aid delivery, rebuilding and administrative arrangements, with an initial focus on Gaza rather than a broader global remit.
The reported $1 billion figure has drawn scrutiny because it would link permanent membership to a specific funding threshold. Administration officials have said contributions would be directed toward reconstruction and related stabilization efforts. The draft framework described in reports places Trump as chair of the board. The White House has not released a final charter publicly, and participating governments have offered few details beyond confirming invitations and preliminary discussions.
How the proposed board would operate in practice
According to descriptions of the draft framework, the board would be organized around working groups addressing security, governance, humanitarian relief and reconstruction. The concept is to create a forum where participating states can coordinate policy and funding decisions tied to post conflict administration and rebuilding needs. Officials familiar with the discussions said the board is not presented as a replacement for existing international institutions, but as a separate arrangement designed to concentrate commitments and create a standing membership structure.
Governments weighing participation have focused on questions of mandate, accountability and how decisions would be made. Some officials have raised concerns about the legitimacy of a peace related body that confers permanent status based on financial contributions, while others have emphasized the scale of reconstruction needs and the importance of predictable funding. Several countries have avoided commenting on any potential payment, instead saying they are evaluating the terms and scope of engagement.
The administration has framed the effort as a way to secure sustained international backing for reconstruction and to keep donor commitments from eroding as attention shifts. Public statements have emphasized funding and logistics rather than political negotiations, with officials saying the board’s mission is to coordinate implementation matters tied to relief and rebuilding. The board’s early agenda is expected to focus on practical questions such as oversight of rebuilding projects, distribution of aid and coordination with local and regional actors.
International reactions and next steps
International reactions have varied, with some governments describing the invitation as an opportunity to contribute to stabilization while others have signaled caution about governance design and the optics of paid permanence. Diplomats said discussions are continuing over membership categories, voting rules and oversight mechanisms. Countries that have not committed have sought clarifications on whether the board would issue binding decisions or function primarily as a funding and coordination platform.
The White House has not announced a launch date or published a final list of members, and several invitees have said they will decide after reviewing formal documents. The administration has maintained that participation is voluntary and that the $1 billion threshold is tied to permanent status rather than entry. As governments assess the proposal, the immediate public record consists of confirmed invitations, stated acceptances by some countries and continuing negotiations over the board’s charter, financing structure and operating rules.