Replacing the United Nations? Trump's "Peace Committee" Launched Today
2026-01-22 20:08:41
Following its debut months earlier as a key component of the U.S. government’s Gaza peace plan, the committee made a crucial breakthrough during the summit – Trump formally signed the charter, clarifying its core purpose of resolving international conflicts. The rule of “$1 billion for permanent membership” and the invitation list covering many countries around the world have sparked widespread discussion and controversy in the international community.
The Peace Commission was first announced last September and was initially a core pillar of the Trump administration’s 20-point plan for long-term peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.
At the time, the plan positioned itself as a “new international transitional institution” with the core responsibility of “developing a framework for Gaza reconstruction and coordinating the allocation of funds until the Palestinian National Authority completes its reform agenda and can safely and efficiently regain control of Gaza”. It also clearly stated that it “will benchmark against the highest international standards and build a modern and efficient governance system that serves the people of Gaza and is attractive to investment.”
As the process progresses, Trump recently hinted that the committee's functions might extend beyond the Gaza Strip into the broader realm of international conflict resolution. At the committee's inauguration ceremony in Davos, Trump further pledged to ensure the demilitarization of Gaza and to push for its "beautiful rebuilding."
The White House has previously emphasized that the Peace Commission will play a key pivotal role in the implementation of the 20-point peace plan, "providing strategic oversight, mobilizing global resources, and ensuring the full implementation of accountability mechanisms at this critical stage of Gaza's transition from conflict to peaceful development."
In addition, Trump also addressed the issue of Iran at the ceremony, stating that Iran wants to engage in dialogue with the United States, and that the United States is willing to negotiate, but will resolutely not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
According to US officials, President Trump will personally serve as chairman of the "Peace Commission" until he voluntarily steps down.
The founding executive committee members include: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire Mark Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.
The Gaza Executive Committee, composed of 12 members including the Turkish Foreign Minister and the Egyptian Intelligence Director, is responsible for supporting governance and service delivery in Gaza. (Members include: US Special Envoy Steve Witkov, Jared Kushner (son-in-law of President Trump), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari Minister of Strategic Affairs Ali al-Sawadi, Egyptian General Hassan Rashad (Chief of the General Intelligence Directorate), former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire financier Mark Ron, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Hashimi, Bulgarian diplomat Nikolai Mladenov, Israeli businessman Yakir Gabaei, and former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and former UN Special Envoy Sigrid Kaag)
As of the signing of the charter, several countries have explicitly accepted the invitation to join, including Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkov previously revealed that the number of countries that have actually signed the accession agreement may reach 25, but some countries have not yet publicly confirmed this.
China, Germany, Italy, Paraguay, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine have not yet clearly stated whether they will join, and are still evaluating the committee's positioning and terms.
Russia's stance has drawn particular attention – despite its continued special military operations in Ukraine and the Trump administration's assertion that Russia poses a national security threat, Russia remains on the invitation list, and Trump has confirmed that he has extended an invitation to Putin.
The UK has made it clear that it will not participate in the signing ceremony of the Charter, with Foreign Secretary Cooper saying "there is still a lot of work to be done," suggesting that there are still concerns about how the committee will operate.
Norway and Sweden have previously stated that they will postpone their decision in the short term due to numerous concerns about the terms of accession.
France plans to decline the invitation, with its main concern being that the Peace Commission's charter covers a scope that goes beyond the Gaza issue and may touch upon core issues such as UN principles and structure.
In response to a potential refusal from France, Trump stated firmly that he would impose a 200% punitive tariff on French wine and champagne, to which French officials responded that the move was "unacceptable and invalid."
Trump has publicly stated that the Peace Commission "might" replace the United Nations, saying that "the United Nations has never done a good job (Trump had previously complained that the UN had not helped in any of the many wars he ended), and has potential value but has never delivered," but he later added that "the United Nations should continue to exist."
Its special envoy, Vitkov, denied that the committee was an alternative to the United Nations, emphasizing that it was "simply bringing together excellent leaders to advance the peace process." While the UN Security Council's special resolution last November approved the establishment of the "Peace Commission," it explicitly limited its functions to the Gaza Strip, a discrepancy with the Trump administration's vision of an "international conflict resolution" mechanism. This contradiction has become one of the core points of contention.
U.S. officials have confirmed that the committee has introduced special funding rules: countries can obtain permanent membership by donating $1 billion, or by default enjoy a three-year term, but financial donations are not a mandatory requirement for membership.
The official statement emphasized that all funds raised will be used specifically for the reconstruction of Gaza, and that "almost every penny" will be used in strict accordance with the authorized procedures, with no issues of "high salaries" or "bloated administrative agencies," and that the highest standards of financial control will be implemented, with funds held only in approved, well-known bank accounts.
However, this "pay for a permanent membership" design has been questioned for its potential to create a conflict of interest and raise questions about fairness, sparking widespread discussion in the international community.
US President Trump’s “Peace Commission” will be officially launched today. The organization was initially positioned as a transitional body in Gaza, but has now evolved into a global peace mediation mechanism that competes with the United Nations. However, it faces skepticism from allies and refusal to join from some countries.
The committee, chaired by Trump, includes political and business leaders from various countries. About 25 countries have agreed to join, but some, such as France, have refused due to concerns that it goes beyond the framework of the United Nations. The committee has also been questioned as a potential replacement for the United Nations, but officials have clarified that it is merely a platform for cooperation to promote peace.
Background and Core Mission: From Gaza Reconstruction to International Conflict Resolution
The Peace Commission was first announced last September and was initially a core pillar of the Trump administration’s 20-point plan for long-term peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.
At the time, the plan positioned itself as a “new international transitional institution” with the core responsibility of “developing a framework for Gaza reconstruction and coordinating the allocation of funds until the Palestinian National Authority completes its reform agenda and can safely and efficiently regain control of Gaza”. It also clearly stated that it “will benchmark against the highest international standards and build a modern and efficient governance system that serves the people of Gaza and is attractive to investment.”
As the process progresses, Trump recently hinted that the committee's functions might extend beyond the Gaza Strip into the broader realm of international conflict resolution. At the committee's inauguration ceremony in Davos, Trump further pledged to ensure the demilitarization of Gaza and to push for its "beautiful rebuilding."
The White House has previously emphasized that the Peace Commission will play a key pivotal role in the implementation of the 20-point peace plan, "providing strategic oversight, mobilizing global resources, and ensuring the full implementation of accountability mechanisms at this critical stage of Gaza's transition from conflict to peaceful development."
In addition, Trump also addressed the issue of Iran at the ceremony, stating that Iran wants to engage in dialogue with the United States, and that the United States is willing to negotiate, but will resolutely not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Governance Structure and Core Team: Implementation of a Multi-Level Leadership System
According to US officials, President Trump will personally serve as chairman of the "Peace Commission" until he voluntarily steps down.
The founding executive committee members include: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire Mark Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.
The Gaza Executive Committee, composed of 12 members including the Turkish Foreign Minister and the Egyptian Intelligence Director, is responsible for supporting governance and service delivery in Gaza. (Members include: US Special Envoy Steve Witkov, Jared Kushner (son-in-law of President Trump), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari Minister of Strategic Affairs Ali al-Sawadi, Egyptian General Hassan Rashad (Chief of the General Intelligence Directorate), former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire financier Mark Ron, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Hashimi, Bulgarian diplomat Nikolai Mladenov, Israeli businessman Yakir Gabaei, and former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and former UN Special Envoy Sigrid Kaag)
Countries that have accepted the invitation
As of the signing of the charter, several countries have explicitly accepted the invitation to join, including Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkov previously revealed that the number of countries that have actually signed the accession agreement may reach 25, but some countries have not yet publicly confirmed this.
Countries with a wait-and-see attitude
China, Germany, Italy, Paraguay, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine have not yet clearly stated whether they will join, and are still evaluating the committee's positioning and terms.
Russia's stance has drawn particular attention – despite its continued special military operations in Ukraine and the Trump administration's assertion that Russia poses a national security threat, Russia remains on the invitation list, and Trump has confirmed that he has extended an invitation to Putin.
Countries that explicitly refuse or postpone
The UK has made it clear that it will not participate in the signing ceremony of the Charter, with Foreign Secretary Cooper saying "there is still a lot of work to be done," suggesting that there are still concerns about how the committee will operate.
Norway and Sweden have previously stated that they will postpone their decision in the short term due to numerous concerns about the terms of accession.
France plans to decline the invitation, with its main concern being that the Peace Commission's charter covers a scope that goes beyond the Gaza issue and may touch upon core issues such as UN principles and structure.
In response to a potential refusal from France, Trump stated firmly that he would impose a 200% punitive tariff on French wine and champagne, to which French officials responded that the move was "unacceptable and invalid."
Core Controversy: Ambiguous Positioning and Funding Mechanisms Seemingly Aligned with the United Nations Spark Heated Debate
Trump has publicly stated that the Peace Commission "might" replace the United Nations, saying that "the United Nations has never done a good job (Trump had previously complained that the UN had not helped in any of the many wars he ended), and has potential value but has never delivered," but he later added that "the United Nations should continue to exist."
Its special envoy, Vitkov, denied that the committee was an alternative to the United Nations, emphasizing that it was "simply bringing together excellent leaders to advance the peace process." While the UN Security Council's special resolution last November approved the establishment of the "Peace Commission," it explicitly limited its functions to the Gaza Strip, a discrepancy with the Trump administration's vision of an "international conflict resolution" mechanism. This contradiction has become one of the core points of contention.
Controversial design of the funding mechanism
U.S. officials have confirmed that the committee has introduced special funding rules: countries can obtain permanent membership by donating $1 billion, or by default enjoy a three-year term, but financial donations are not a mandatory requirement for membership.
The official statement emphasized that all funds raised will be used specifically for the reconstruction of Gaza, and that "almost every penny" will be used in strict accordance with the authorized procedures, with no issues of "high salaries" or "bloated administrative agencies," and that the highest standards of financial control will be implemented, with funds held only in approved, well-known bank accounts.
However, this "pay for a permanent membership" design has been questioned for its potential to create a conflict of interest and raise questions about fairness, sparking widespread discussion in the international community.
Summarize:
US President Trump’s “Peace Commission” will be officially launched today. The organization was initially positioned as a transitional body in Gaza, but has now evolved into a global peace mediation mechanism that competes with the United Nations. However, it faces skepticism from allies and refusal to join from some countries.
The committee, chaired by Trump, includes political and business leaders from various countries. About 25 countries have agreed to join, but some, such as France, have refused due to concerns that it goes beyond the framework of the United Nations. The committee has also been questioned as a potential replacement for the United Nations, but officials have clarified that it is merely a platform for cooperation to promote peace.
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