Trump's Board of Peace prompts renewed support for the United Nations

President Trump proposed a Board of Peace to oversee Gaza, but plans to broaden its mandate beyond the ceasefire have led major powers to withhold support and to restate backing for the U.N. Security Council's role in international peace and security.

President Donald Trump has proposed a Board of Peace he would chair, originally aimed at overseeing a Gaza ceasefire plan. The board's charter states he would lead it until he resigns and have veto power over actions and membership. As the administration floated expanding the board's remit beyond Gaza, several major powers resisted and publicly reaffirmed support for the United Nations and the Security Council. Diplomatic reactions have included declines to join and calls to strengthen existing U.N. structures. Key facts: - The board was proposed to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, but U.S. officials discussed a broader mandate to mediate other conflicts. - The charter says Trump would lead the board until he resigns and would hold veto authority over its decisions and membership. - About 26 of roughly 60 invited countries have joined the board so far, while about nine European countries have declined; China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom have refused or not indicated support. - U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the Security Council is the body that can adopt decisions binding on all member states regarding international peace and security. - Several European leaders, including France, Spain, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, cited overlap with U.N. structures when declining to join, and some countries urged strengthening the U.N. rather than creating alternatives. - Eight Muslim-majority countries that agreed to join issued a joint statement supporting the board's mission in Gaza and the advancement of Palestinian statehood. Summary: The proposal to expand the Board of Peace beyond Gaza prompted pushback from several governments and renewed public support for the United Nations' role in peace and security. Some invited countries are still deciding whether to join, and the board's long-term role remains undetermined at this time.