US President Donald Trump has invited countries to pay $1 billion in exchange for a permanent seat on a newly proposed initiative known as the “Board of Peace”.

The body was initially envisioned as a mechanism to address Israel’s war on Gaza, though its charter does not restrict its mandate solely to the occupied Palestinian territory.

Several states have been approached by the US to join the initiative.

Pakistan also received an invitation on Sunday. Today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accepted the proposal to participate in the initiative with the aim of “achieving lasting peace in Gaza”, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).

What is the board meant to do?

According to AFP, the Board of Peace will be led by Trump under the terms outlined in its founding charter.

The document describes it as “an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict”.

It further states that the body will “undertake such peace-building functions in accordance with international law”.

Who will lead the board?

Under the charter, Trump will serve as chairman while also acting as the first representative of the United States.

“The chairman shall have exclusive authority to create, modify, or dissolve subsidiary entities as necessary or appropriate to fulfil the Board of Peace’s mission,” the document says.

The initiative was initially designed to supervise Gaza’s reconstruction.

Trump will appoint members of an executive board, described as “leaders of global stature”, who will serve two-year terms and can be removed by the chairman.

He may also, “acting on behalf of the Board of Peace”, “adopt resolutions or other directives”.

The chairman can only be replaced through “voluntary resignation or as a result of incapacity”.

Who is eligible for membership?

States may only join if formally invited by the US president and will be represented by their head of state or government.

Membership is limited to a maximum of three years, according to the charter.

However, this restriction does not apply to countries that contribute more than US$1,000,000,000 in cash during the first year after the charter comes into force.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among those on the board.

The board will hold voting sessions at least once a year, with each country allotted a single vote.

While decisions require a majority of members present and voting, they are also “subject to the approval of the chairman, who may also cast a vote in his capacity as chairman in the event of a tie”.

Who sits on the executive board?

According to the White House, the executive board will oversee the implementation of the organisation’s objectives. It will be chaired by Trump and comprise seven members:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special negotiator
• Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law
• Tony Blair, former British prime minister
• Marc Rowan, US billionaire financier
• Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank
• Robert Gabriel, a close Trump associate serving on the US National Security Council

Which countries have been invited?

Aside from Pakistan, dozens of governments and leaders have confirmed receiving invitations.

Among them are China, India, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

France has stated that it will not participate in the initiative.

Invitations have also been confirmed by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

Other countries to acknowledge invitations include Jordan, Brazil, Paraguay, Pakistan, as well as several states across Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Who is expected to join?

Countries ranging from Albania to Vietnam have signalled interest in becoming members.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a strong supporter of Trump within the European Union, has also agreed to join.

Canada has said it will participate but has clearly ruled out paying the $1 billion required for permanent membership.

It remains uncertain whether other interested states, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Vietnam, would be willing to make the $1 billion contribution.

Who is staying out?

France, a longstanding US ally, has indicated it will not take part.

Trump responded by threatening to impose steep tariffs on French wine.

President Zelensky said it would be “very hard” to sit on a council alongside Russia, adding that diplomatic efforts were ongoing.

When will it take effect?

The charter states that it will come into force “upon expression of consent to be bound by three States”.

Header image: US President Donald Trump speaks during the ASEAN-US Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, 2025. — Reuters/ File