Trump aims to hold the first meeting of his new Board of Peace in Washington this month

President Donald Trump is set to hold the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington this month, aiming to secure funding for Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. The gathering, tentatively scheduled for February 19, will bring together international leaders who accepted Trump’s January invitation along with members of an executive committee focused on Gaza’s governance, security, and redevelopment.

Administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement, indicated that while the exact attendance remains uncertain, they anticipate “robust” participation from global leaders. The meeting’s agenda is still being finalized, reflecting the evolving nature of this diplomatic initiative.

According to an invitation sent to participants on Friday and obtained by The Associated Press, the meeting will take place at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which has been controversially renamed the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace. This rebranding remains contested in an ongoing legal dispute with the institute’s former leadership following the administration’s takeover of the facility last year, which resulted in widespread staff terminations.

The Board of Peace represents a significant shift in Trump’s approach to international diplomacy. Initially conceived as a mechanism to help resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the initiative has expanded considerably in scope. It now appears positioned as a potential alternative to established multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, as Trump seeks to fundamentally reshape the post-World War II international order.

This development comes amid the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where infrastructure has been devastated and civilian casualties have mounted since the conflict intensified following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. The reconstruction needs are immense, with estimates suggesting tens of billions of dollars will be required to rebuild the territory.

The administration’s approach has met with skepticism from traditional U.S. allies. Many European and other partner nations have declined to participate in the Board, viewing it with suspicion as a possible attempt to create a rival body to the UN Security Council, where the United States has faced increasing challenges to its policy positions in recent years.

Critics argue that Trump’s initiative bypasses established international institutions at a time when multilateral cooperation is essential for addressing complex global challenges. Some diplomatic observers suggest the Board of Peace may struggle to gain legitimate international recognition without broader support from key U.S. allies and regional stakeholders.

Proponents of the Board counter that fresh approaches are needed given the deadlocks that have characterized many international bodies in recent years. They see Trump’s initiative as an opportunity to create more nimble mechanisms for conflict resolution and reconstruction efforts.

The timing of this meeting is particularly significant as it comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty about the path to a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. International aid organizations have repeatedly warned about the dire humanitarian situation facing Gaza’s civilian population, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated reconstruction efforts.

For Trump, the success of this initiative could have implications for his broader foreign policy agenda and his vision of America’s role on the global stage. The administration appears determined to demonstrate that it can mobilize international support for its diplomatic priorities despite resistance from traditional partners.

As the meeting date approaches, diplomatic observers will be watching closely to see which nations ultimately participate and what concrete outcomes might emerge from this unconventional approach to international crisis management and post-conflict reconstruction.