“You got to let the U.N. continue because the potential is so great,” Trump said at a press briefing, while also criticizing the organization for having “never lived up to its potential.”
The “Board of Peace,” unveiled by the White House last week, has drawn skepticism from diplomats, rights advocates, and longtime UN supporters who say it could undermine the global body’s legitimacy. Trump denied it was meant to replace the UN, responding “might” when asked directly if that was his goal.
The board, established under a U.N. Security Council resolution in November to oversee a Gaza ceasefire plan, has since been expanded in Trump’s vision to address global conflicts. Critics say the broad mandate, revealed in a charter sent with invitations to join, no longer refers to Gaza and signals an attempt to create a parallel international order.
According to the charter, the board seeks to “promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
France has declined to join, warning the initiative “raises very important concern regarding the rationality with the charter of the United Nations,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux. Ireland is considering the offer but echoed concerns about the board’s broad scope.
“The UN may be imperfect, but the primacy of international law is more important now than ever,” said Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee.
The board’s members will serve three-year terms, with a permanent seat offered in exchange for a USD 1 billion contribution. While the U.S. insists the funds are voluntary and meant to support Gaza reconstruction, diplomats say the steep price raises concerns about fairness and influence.
“You can’t rival this organization,” former U.S. Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller said of the UN. “It’s too big, too durable, and too integral to so many different pieces of the international landscape.”
Trump appointees to the board include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Blair’s involvement has been criticized due to his role in the Iraq war.
Despite international concerns, some uninvited countries have privately expressed interest in joining and are considering paying the USD 1 billion fee, a U.S. official said.
Trump emphasized his commitment to global peace efforts but left room for ambiguity. “The U.N. just hasn’t been very helpful,” he said. “I am a big fan of the U.N. potential.”
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Source: Reuters, PAP, CNN, Polish Radio