The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed a $1 billion payment for countries seeking permanent membership on a newly created international body known as the “Board of Peace,” according to a draft charter obtained by AFP.
Under the proposal, invited countries would be granted membership on the board for an initial period of three years.
However, the charter provides that states contributing more than $1 billion in cash within the first year of the board’s establishment would be exempt from the three-year limit and could retain their seats for a longer duration.
The board, which would be chaired by President Trump, is intended to address conflicts and promote stability in regions affected by war.
World leaders reportedly invited to join include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
According to the charter, only heads of state would represent member countries, and participation would be strictly by invitation of the chairman.
Trump would also retain the authority to remove member states, subject to a two-thirds veto by the board’s members, and to nominate a successor should he step down as chairman.
Although the initiative was initially conceived to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, the charter does not restrict the board’s mandate to the Palestinian territory.
It outlines a structure comprising a main board, a Palestinian committee of technocrats intended to manage Gaza, and a separate executive board with an advisory role.
Describing its mission, the charter states that the Board of Peace aims to promote stability, restore lawful governance, and secure lasting peace in conflict-prone regions.
It also criticises existing global institutions, arguing that the new body must be willing to move away from approaches and institutions that have “too often failed,” an apparent reference to organisations such as the United Nations.
Trump has repeatedly criticised the UN and recently announced plans for the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations and treaties, about half of which are affiliated with the UN.
The board reportedly began taking shape over the weekend, with leaders of Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada asked to join.
Other named members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, senior negotiator Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Israel, however, has raised objections to the composition of the proposed Gaza executive board, which includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi.
