Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Seeks $1 Billion for Permanent Seats

The Trump administration has proposed a Gaza Peace Board that would allow countries to secure permanent membership by paying $1 billion in cash, according to a draft charter sent to around 60 nations, a move that could position the body as a rival to existing United Nations mechanisms.

A Pay-to-Stay Model for Global Influence

According to the draft charter reviewed by Reuters and first reported by Bloomberg News, member states of the Board of Peace would ordinarily serve a maximum term of three years from the charter’s entry into force. However, the document introduces a major exception.

“The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year,” the draft states.

The provision effectively creates a pathway to permanent membership for countries willing to make substantial financial contributions, fundamentally reshaping traditional multilateral governance models.

A Rival to the United Nations?

The Board of Peace was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November 2025 to oversee the Israel–Hamas ceasefire. Despite this endorsement, its structure and authority differ sharply from standard UN-led institutions.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to serve as the board’s inaugural chairman, with authority to invite members and retain final approval over decisions, even though resolutions would formally require a majority vote.

This centralized leadership model has fueled debate among diplomats over whether the body represents a new form of international cooperation or an alternative power structure operating alongside — and potentially competing with — the United Nations.

Washington Defends the $1 Billion Contribution

A U.S. official told CNBC that there is no cost to join the Board of Peace initially, emphasizing that the $1 billion payment is optional and solely intended to secure permanent membership.

According to the official, the board’s mandate is to “rebuild all of Gaza,” and “virtually every dollar” raised would be directed toward reconstruction efforts. The official added that the group would operate without “exorbitant salaries and massive administrative bloat,” distancing the project from criticisms often directed at large multilateral institutions.

However, the draft charter does not clarify where the collected funds would be held or which legal framework would govern their management.

Growing List of Invited Nations

Trump has already invited a number of world leaders to participate in the Gaza Peace Board, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Argentine President Javier Milei.

Several countries — Hungary, India, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan — have confirmed receiving invitations, according to AP News. Türkiye, Egypt, Paraguay and Albania were invited earlier, while the full list of members is expected to be announced in the coming days.

The expanding roster underscores Washington’s effort to build a broad coalition outside traditional UN structures.

Executive Board Signals Global Power Shift

Under Trump’s leadership, the Board of Peace has also established a founding executive board tasked with overseeing “a defined portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success,” the White House said on Friday.

Appointees include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. deputy national security advisor Robert Gabriel.

The composition of the executive board — blending political power, finance and global development leadership — has further fueled concerns that the initiative could evolve into a parallel global governance structure.