US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his Board of Peace, originally intended to help end the Gaza war but which he now sees having a wider role that Europe and some others fear will rival or undermine the United Nations.
Trump appeared to touch on those concerns in his opening remarks at a signing ceremony for the board, saying the new board would work with the UN as he listed other major diplomatic issues around the region and worldwide.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump described the day as “very exciting” and long in the making. He said the primary goal of the Gaza Peace Board is to make the existing ceasefire agreement sustainable and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Trump said the Board includes “top leaders from around the world” and claimed many countries want to join the initiative.
Remarks on UN and global diplomacy
Trump acknowledged that “there are very good people in the United Nations” and said the UN has potential, but insisted it played no role in conflicts he claims to have resolved.
“I stopped eight wars in the world, but the UN played no role,” Trump said, adding that he would still work alongside the UN to pursue peace.
Gaza war ‘about to end,’ Hamas warned
Trump said Israel’s war in Gaza is “really coming to an end” and claimed that Hamas has promised to disarm. He described Hamas fighters as people “born with rifles in their hands” and issued a stern warning.
“If Hamas does not disarm, they will be destroyed,” Trump said, adding that weapons were being taken up from childhood.
Also Read: What is Trump's 'Board of Peace' and who has joined so far?
Turning to Eastern Europe, Trump said he initially believed ending the Ukraine war would be easy, but it turned out to be the most challenging conflict.
“Thousands of soldiers are being killed in Ukraine,” he said, expressing hope that another settlement could be reached soon.
Claims of military, foreign policy successes
Trump praised the strength of the US military, calling it the most powerful army in the world. He claimed the US carried out a successful operation to capture the president of Venezuela and said Washington is “very happy” with Venezuela’s current government.
He also said large-scale oil extraction is underway in Venezuela and claimed that Operation Midnight Hammer eliminated Iran’s nuclear capability. Trump added that Iran now wants to talk, and the US is open to dialogue.
Trump claimed he helped stop a war between Pakistan and India, noting both are nuclear powers. He said Pakistan’s prime minister told him that his intervention saved millions of lives.
Also Read: Pakistan among 8 Muslim countries to join ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza
Opening the ceremony with remarks on domestic politics, Trump said the US economy is growing rapidly. “When America booms, the entire world booms,” he told the audience.
He claimed to have ended eight wars in 10 months and said global threats to Europe, America, and the Middle East are “calming down.”
Global leaders attend, Western Europe absent
The ceremony was attended by fewer than 20 countries, largely from the Middle East, South America, and parts of Asia. Among those present were Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, and leaders from Turkey, Indonesia, Argentina, Belarus, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Hungary.
Notably absent were Western European allies, some of whom have raised concerns about the initiative, particularly over the possible involvement of Russia.
Board of Peace already ‘running beautifully’
Trump said the Board of Peace has already begun work and is “running beautifully,” describing it as potentially “one of the most consequential bodies ever created.” He said he is honoured to serve as its chairman.
He thanked attendees individually, including former UK prime minister Tony Blair, and joked that he liked “every single” leader present.
Trump acknowledged criticism from allies, including the UK’s reservations over potential Russian participation. He also referenced his recent threat to impose 200% tariffs on French wine after President Emmanuel Macron declined to join the Board.
Once fully formed, Trump said, “we can do pretty much whatever we want to do,” while still coordinating efforts with the United Nations.
‘First step toward brighter Middle East’
Despite past criticism of the UN, Trump said combining the efforts of the Board of Peace and the UN could be “something very unique for the world.”
He described the initiative as the first step toward a “brighter day for the Middle East,” insisting that just one year ago, the world was “actually on fire.”
Global role
Apart from the US, no other permanent member of the UN Security Council - the five nations with the most say over international law and diplomacy since the end of World War Two - has yet committed to join.
Russia said late on Wednesday it was studying the proposal after Trump said it would join. France has declined. Britain said on Thursday it was not joining at present. China has not yet said whether it will join.
The board's creation was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of Trump's Gaza peace plan, and UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez said on Thursday that UN engagement with the board would only be in that context.
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