• Trump launches "Board of Peace" at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
• The initiative has a $1 billion membership fee and a controversial roster of invitees.
• The UK, France, and other nations have declined their invitations to join.
• Concerns arise that the board may rival the United Nations.
• Trump touts the board's potential to resolve international conflicts, including in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump formally launched his controversial "Board of Peace" during a signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this Thursday. The initiative, which carries a hefty membership fee of $1 billion, aims to address international conflicts, although it initially emerged from discussions surrounding the rebuilding of Gaza following Israel’s military actions against Hamas. The charter does not confine the board's role solely to Gaza, prompting concerns that it may challenge the authority of the United Nations, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

Trump, who is listed as the chairman of the board, expressed confidence about its acceptance, claiming "everybody" wants to join. Significant international figures, including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will serve in executive roles. However, key allies such as the UK, France, and Norway have already indicated they will not participate, fearing the board could undermine existing diplomatic frameworks while stating it aims to work in conjunction with the UN, according to Channel News Asia.

During the ceremony, Trump also emphasized the necessity for Hamas to disarm under the next phase of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, stressing that failure to comply would result in serious consequences, a reflection of ongoing tensions in the region. Notably, Trump mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin had shown interest in joining the board, despite ongoing international tensions due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, leading to further scrutiny from allied nations, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Palestinians have expressed deep skepticism regarding the "Board of Peace," feeling that their rights and realities are often overlooked in discussions about governance and peace arrangements, illustrating the disconnect between political initiatives and the lived experiences of those directly affected by conflict, according to Al Jazeera.