Thursday, January 22, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
In a high-profile diplomatic move at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, United States President Donald Trump formally launched the inaugural charter of a new international peace-building body the “Board of Peace” aimed at ending the protracted war in Gaza and fostering broader stability across the Middle East.
The ceremony, held on Thursday morning during the forum’s plenary sessions, drew representatives from 19 countries, mostly Arab and Muslim-majority states, who signed the founding charter that Trump described as a “bold new mechanism” to secure long-term peace and address urgent reconstruction needs in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
A New Peace Architecture for Gaza
President Trump, who will chair the board, said its immediate focus will be overseeing transitional governance and rebuilding efforts in Gaza as part of the second phase of the fragile ceasefire agreement that has slowed active conflict in recent months. He positioned the initiative as not only a response to the humanitarian crisis there but also a framework to tackle wider regional conflicts.
The signing event featured key foreign ministers and senior diplomats from the Gulf, Levant and North Africa. Notable attendees included Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi accepted an invitation to join the board, though he was not present on stage.
International Endorsements and Strategic Outreach
Speaking at a parallel session on global diplomacy, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the international community to give the peace plan “a chance,” emphasizing its potential to deliver a historic, Marshall Plan-style reconstruction for Gaza and catalyse renewed regional diplomacy even as elements within Israel press for renewed military action.
Herzog’s comments signal a cautious but constructive reception from parts of Israel’s leadership, reinforcing Trump’s claims that broad global engagement could underpin stability and economic renewal in the enclave.
Challenges and Criticisms
Although representatives from many Arab and Islamic nations signed the charter, the full international support base remains unclear. Traditional Western allies have responded cautiously, with no immediate commitments to formal membership or funding. Trump’s plan asserts that the board could work with the United Nations and mobilize resources for reconstruction, but critics argue that the initiative risks overlapping with existing multilateral frameworks and complicating diplomatic efforts led by international organisations.
Looking Ahead
As the Board of Peace moves from concept to implementation, its effectiveness will hinge on its ability to bridge political divides, mobilize reconstruction funds, and secure durable security arrangements in Gaza. With the conflict’s humanitarian toll still profound, stakeholders at Davos described the board as a test of renewed international cooperation — and a possible turning point for one of the most enduring crises in the Middle East.