Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace is scheduled to convene its inaugural meeting on February 19, with discussions centering on advancing a ceasefire in Gaza and securing funding for the territory’s extensive reconstruction efforts.
Trump initially unveiled the concept for the board during the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, naming the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Argentina, Paraguay, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Vietnam as initial members.
Uneven Global Support
However, several key U.S. allies have expressed reservations about joining the board, citing concerns that it could potentially undermine the authority of the United Nations (U.N.). Reports also suggest that permanent membership may be contingent upon a $1 billion cash contribution within the first year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated a willingness to contribute $1 billion to the Board of Peace, but stipulated that this would require the release of Russian assets currently frozen in the U.S. due to actions taken during the Biden Administration.
Trump is slated to chair the board, with his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated to serve on an “Executive Board.” Other members of the Executive Board include Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, president of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, national security adviser Robert Gabriel, and Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management.
Gaza Reconstruction Efforts
The board’s initial meeting, to be held at the Institute of Peace, will prioritize fundraising initiatives aimed at rebuilding Gaza, according to initial reports. The U.N. Security Council has authorized the Board to oversee the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and work on governance and reconstruction.
The meeting is scheduled as the ceasefire in Gaza appears increasingly fragile. On February 4, Israeli strikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, according to the Associated Press. Israel stated the strikes were in response to an attack on its soldiers that left one seriously wounded.
Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 550 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire deal, brokered by Trump and mediated by Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, took effect on October 10, 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that a full withdrawal of his troops from Gaza is contingent upon Hamas disarming.
Netanyahu to Meet Trump
Israeli officials have announced that Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on February 18, the day before the planned board meeting. However, they emphasize that the meeting will primarily focus on Iran.
Should Netanyahu attend the Board of Peace meeting, it would mark his first encounter with Arab leaders since before the October 7 attacks and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated at a campaign event in Szombathely, Hungary, on Saturday that he intends to be present at the meeting. This comes at a time when Trump’s relationship with European allies is strained, following threats to pursue the annexation of Greenland, but Orban remains one of Trump’s staunchest allies on the continent.
Orban, who has led Hungary for 14 years, shares Trump’s firm stance on immigration policies.
