Pakistan and Turkiye have formally announced their decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP) after an invitation was extended to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Erdogan by US President Donald Trump.
According to the Pakistan's Foreign Office, the country's participation in the Board of Peace is part of its continued efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
The statement said Pakistan hopes the new framework will lead to concrete progress toward a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Pakistan expressed strong hope that the initiative would result in a significant expansion of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. It also emphasized the urgent need for the large-scale reconstruction of Gaza following months of devastation.
Support for Palestinian self-determination
The Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled position on the Palestinian cause.
It said Islamabad expects these efforts to pave the way for the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination through a credible and time-bound political process, in line with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions.
Pakistan reiterated its support for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine. The Foreign Office said this should be based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Also Read: Pakistan invited to join US-led 'Board of Peace' for Gaza
The statement added that Pakistan looks forward to playing a constructive role as part of the Board of Peace. It said Islamabad remains committed to helping end the suffering of the Palestinian people and contributing meaningfully to lasting peace.
Turkey also joins Board of Peace initiative
Meanwhile, a Turkish source told Reuters that Hakan Fidan will represent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on President Trump’s Board of Peace initiative. Trump had invited Erdogan to join the board, which initially focused on Gaza but has since been expanded to address global conflicts.
President Trump is expected to preside over the formal ceremony marking the Board of Peace on Thursday at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Also Read: Trump, Erdogan discuss Syria and Gaza in call
Turkish officials confirmed that Hakan Fidan will attend the signing ceremony.
Separate Gaza Executive Board named
The White House earlier announced that Fidan is also a member of a separate Gaza Executive Board. Other members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
A Turkish source said Fidan will also represent Erdogan at the leaders-level Board of Peace. Observers say the participation of Pakistan and Turkey signals growing international engagement in efforts to stabilize Gaza and address long-running regional conflicts.
Netanyahu Joins Board of Peace
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also accepted an invitation from Trump to join the newly established Board of Peace, according to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office.
The statement said Netanyahu would become a member of the board, “which is to be comprised of world leaders.” The initiative was initially seen as a mechanism to help end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee reconstruction efforts.
However, the proposed charter of the Board of Peace does not explicitly mention Gaza or the Palestinian territories. Instead, critics say the document suggests a broader mandate that could overlap with or even supplant some traditional functions of the United Nations.
Countries agreeing to join
Several countries have already agreed to join the Board of Peace, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Others confirming participation include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam.
Many countries have expressed reservations about the initiative. While Canada, Russia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom are among those reportedly invited, none have publicly confirmed participation so far.
Some countries decline participation
Norway has announced it will not join, saying the current proposal “raises a number of questions.” France and Sweden have also indicated they do not plan to take part.
According to a leaked copy of the charter, member states will receive renewable three-year terms. However, countries contributing $1 billion in funding could secure a permanent seat on the board.
The charter describes the Board of Peace as “an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
It states that peace-building functions will be undertaken in accordance with international law.
Trump will serve as chairman of the Board of Peace while also acting separately as the representative of the United States. A US official said Trump may hold the chairmanship until he resigns it, though a future US president could appoint a new representative.
Extensive powers granted to chairman
Under the charter, Trump will have exclusive authority to create, modify, or dissolve subsidiary bodies as needed to fulfil the board’s mission.
He will also select “leaders of global stature” to serve two-year terms on an Executive Board supporting the initiative.
