The BareStory
On January 22, 2026, President Donald Trump hosted a signing ceremony for a new international body known as the "Board of Peace" during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Flanked by leaders from over a dozen nations, Trump described the collective as a major initiative aimed at ending conflict in the Middle East and promoting global peace.
According to U.S. officials, invitations were extended to more than 50 world leaders. Approximately 20 to 25 nations reportedly accepted the invitation, including Argentina, Egypt, Hungary, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. A draft of the organization’s charter reportedly outlines the board as a U.S.-led alternative to the United Nations. Officials indicated that Trump is expected to chair the board, with an executive committee slated to include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney.
The initiative has received a mixed reception from the international community. While numerous nations joined the pact, several traditional U.S. allies, including France, Norway, and Sweden, declined or expressed reservations. The United Kingdom confirmed it would not sign, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper citing concerns over an invitation extended to Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin acknowledged receiving an invitation, with President Vladimir Putin stating the proposal focused on the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Separately at the forum, Trump and officials announced a "framework" agreement regarding Greenland. While details remain limited, reports indicate the arrangement does not involve U.S. financial payments, a development following previous diplomatic tensions and tariff threats involving the territory.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
The establishment of a U.S.-led alternative to the United Nations indicates a pivot in foreign policy that prioritizes a new executive structure over established international institutions.
Relations with long-standing allies such as the United Kingdom and France may face friction after they rejected the pact due to concerns over Russia's invited participation.
The initiative's focus on ending Middle East conflict involves direct U.S. collaboration with regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Israel, potentially reshaping security commitments in the area.
A separate framework agreement with Greenland reportedly settles diplomatic tensions without involving U.S. financial payments, avoiding direct economic costs for taxpayers.
