• Trump launches the "Board of Peace" at Davos, aimed at resolving international conflicts.
• The board has a $1 billion membership fee and is criticized for possibly rivaling the UN.
• Participation skepticism from key allies like the UK, France, and Norway.
• The initiative initially focused on Gaza's reconstruction but aims for broader global impact.
• Concerns about controversial invitees, including Russian President Putin, loom large.

US President Donald Trump formally launched the "Board of Peace" at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, emphasizing its role in resolving international conflicts, particularly in Gaza. He stated, "This isn’t the United States, this is for the world," as he aimed to create a positive momentum for the initiative following previous controversies, including threats toward Greenland, according to SCMP and LA Times.

The board, which requires a steep $1 billion membership fee, is designed to work alongside the United Nations. Despite Trump's insistence that "everyone wants to be a part" of such an initiative, skepticism exists among many traditional US allies, including the UK and France, who declined participation, concerned about the board rivaling the UN, as noted by Channel News Asia and Anadolu Agency.

Initially conceived to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction after the conflict with Hamas, Trump described the board’s ambitions as extending “far beyond Gaza,” hinting at a new role in global affairs. Trump criticized the UN's effectiveness, declaring that the board could become "one of the most consequential bodies ever created," according to Le Monde and SCMP.

However, participation from world leaders seemed limited, with only representatives from 19 countries present at the launch despite claims of 59 affiliations. Critics highlighted the list of invitees, including controversial figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Concerns were raised especially by the UK Foreign Secretary about Putin's involvement amid ongoing tensions due to his actions in Ukraine, as reported by Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

During the event, Trump also mentioned that disarming Hamas would be a prerequisite for lasting peace in Gaza, reiterating past warnings. This emphasis on Hamas forms part of the larger narrative surrounding the board’s charter, which some perceive as detached from the realities faced by Palestinians on the ground, as shared by Al Jazeera and SCMP.