When Donald Trump’s Board of Peace launched as part of a Gaza peace initiative, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t your typical diplomatic club. With a reported membership fee of $1 billion for permanent status and a list of founding members that includes over two dozen nations, the board has sparked both curiosity and controversy. Here’s what we know about the members, the countries that have joined, and how the process works.

4 related posts

Members appointed by Trump: 11 ·
Founding year: 2025 ·
Member countries: 10 ·
Membership fee: varies

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of member countries beyond 26 (no official tally)
  • Specific membership fee amounts for different countries
  • Full list of heads of state on the board
  • Whether the board is recognized by the United Nations
  • Duration of the board’s operations
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts about the Board of Peace, one pattern: the initiative combines a small executive core with a broad, paid-membership model for nations.

The table below summarises the leadership and membership numbers for this evolving initiative.

Label Value
Founder/Chairman Donald J. Trump
High Representative Nikolay Mladenov
Total Core Members 11
Member Countries 10
Executive Board size 7
Official Website boardofpeace.org

Who Are the Members of the Board of Peace?

The board’s membership splits into three tiers: core appointees, heads of state, and an executive board. The pattern: operational control rests with a small group, while diplomatic weight spreads across multiple continents.

Core Members Appointed by President Trump

  • Donald J. Trump – Chairman (Board of Peace official site)
  • Nikolay Mladenov – High Representative for Gaza (Reuters wire service)
  • Edi Rama – Prime Minister of Albania (ABC News broadcast network)
  • Javier Milei – President of Argentina (Reuters wire service)
  • Nayib Bukele – President of El Salvador (Reuters wire service)

The pattern: the core members are a mix of heads of state and a designated High Representative, giving the board both political weight and operational leadership.

Heads of State and Government on the Board

  • Donald J. Trump (United States)
  • Edi Rama (Albania)
  • Javier Milei (Argentina)
  • Nayib Bukele (El Salvador)
  • Other heads of state from founding member nations such as Hungary, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam (Reuters wire service)

The implication: the board’s membership spans multiple continents, but the exact number of heads of state remains unconfirmed because the charter allows representation by high-ranking officials, not necessarily heads of state.

Executive Board Members

  • Marco Rubio – US Secretary of State
  • Steve Witkoff – Envoy
  • Jared Kushner – Advisor
  • Tony Blair – Former UK Prime Minister
  • Marc Rowan – Finance lead
  • Ajay Banga – World Bank President
  • Robert Gabriel Jr. – Advisor

Source: Board of Peace official site and Reuters wire service

The catch: the executive board includes figures from finance and diplomacy, but the absence of any Middle Eastern leaders on the executive board raises questions about regional buy-in.

Which Countries Have Joined the Trump Board of Peace?

The founding member list exceeds two dozen nations, per Reuters reporting. The confirmed countries break down by region.

List of Member Countries

According to Reuters wire service, the founding members include more than two dozen nations. The confirmed list covers:

  • Middle East and North Africa: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, United Arab Emirates
  • Americas: Argentina, El Salvador, Paraguay, Canada (invited)
  • Europe: Albania, Hungary, Greece (invited), Cyprus (invited), Turkey (invited)
  • Asia-Pacific: Armenia, Belarus, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
  • Other: Jordan (invited), Albania (already listed)

Source: Reuters wire service and ABC News broadcast network

The pattern: the board has attracted a wide geographic range, but several key regional players (e.g., Turkey, Jordan) have only confirmed invitations, not membership.

How Countries Join the Board

Membership is by invitation only from the chairman, according to Al Jazeera news network. The White House reportedly invited 50 countries, and about 35 expressed interest (RT news outlet). The formal signing ceremony for founding members took place at Davos in January 2026 (CNBC business news network).

The implication: the invitation process is controlled by the US administration, giving the chairman significant leverage over the board’s composition.

How Many Members Are on the Board of Peace?

The board operates a tiered membership structure that distinguishes between core appointees, founding states, and an executive board. The count matters because it determines voting power and financial obligations.

Total Membership Count

The board has two distinct tiers: an executive core of 11 members appointed by Trump, and a broader set of founding member states that exceeds two dozen (Reuters wire service). The 11 core members include the High Representative, the chairman, and several heads of state. The executive board comprises seven additional officials.

The trade-off: the 11 core members provide operational control, while the founding member states represent the paying constituency.

Distinction Between Full Members and Executive Board

  • Core members (11): Chairman, High Representative, and heads of state from founding nations.
  • Executive board (7): US Secretary of State, envoys, advisors, and financial managers.
  • Founding member states (26+): Countries that signed the charter and are represented by heads of state or high-ranking officials.

Source: Board of Peace official site and Reuters wire service

The implication: the board’s structure mirrors a corporate board, with a small decision-making group and a larger shareholder base.

Who Operates the Board of Peace?

Operational control rests with the chairman and a designated High Representative, while an executive board handles diplomatic and financial management. The catch: leadership is US-centric.

Leadership Structure

The board is chaired by Donald J. Trump (Board of Peace official site). Day-to-day operations are led by the High Representative for Gaza, Nikolay Mladenov, a former UN special coordinator (Reuters wire service). The executive board includes foreign ministers and envoys who handle diplomatic outreach and financial management.

The pattern: the leadership is heavily US-centric, with the executive board including only one non-American (Tony Blair) and one international institution head (Ajay Banga of the World Bank).

High Representative for Gaza

Nikolay Mladenov holds the title of High Representative for Gaza, according to Reuters wire service. His role includes coordinating the board’s peace initiatives and managing relations with member states. Mladenov previously served as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

The pattern: the appointment of a seasoned UN diplomat gives the board some institutional credibility, but his independence from the Trump administration is unclear.

What Are the Board of Peace Membership Fees?

The fee structure creates two classes of membership: a three-year standard term and a permanent seat for nations that pay a premium. The catch: wealthy nations can buy a permanent place while poorer countries face time-limited membership.

Fee Structure

According to TIME magazine, the board’s charter allows permanent membership for states that contribute at least $1 billion within the first year. Standard membership is for three years, renewable unless the chairman decides otherwise (Reuters wire service). The fee is not a fixed amount for all countries; it varies based on the country’s capacity and the level of membership desired (Board of Peace official site).

The upshot: the $1 billion figure is a threshold for permanent status, not a flat fee. Smaller nations may pay less for standard membership, but the exact amounts are not publicly disclosed.

Financial Commitments of Member Nations

NPR public radio network reported that aspiring permanent members must contribute at least $1 billion. France 24 news network confirmed that the draft charter includes a three-year term with extension if a state contributes over $1 billion in the first year. The White House rapid response account described the fee as a path to permanent membership for countries that demonstrate commitment to peace, security, and prosperity (TIME magazine).

The trade-off: the high cost of permanent membership may limit participation to wealthier nations, while smaller countries may opt for standard membership with less influence.

The catch

The $1 billion permanent-membership fee creates a clear distinction between wealthy nations that can buy a permanent seat and poorer nations that are limited to three-year terms, potentially undermining the board’s claim to inclusive peacebuilding.

Timeline: Key Events in the Board of Peace

  • 2025: Board of Peace established by Donald Trump (Reuters wire service)
  • January 2026: Founding members sign the charter at the World Forum in Davos (CNBC business news network)
  • February 2026: Reuters reports that the board’s official account identifies more than two dozen founding members (Reuters wire service)
  • 2026: ISS Europa think tank publishes commentary on the board’s composition and membership fees (ISS Europa think tank)

The pattern: the board moved from announcement to operational status within a year, but the rapid pace left many details about membership and fees still unclear.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Donald Trump is Chairman (Board of Peace official site)
  • Nikolay Mladenov is High Representative for Gaza (Reuters wire service)
  • 11 core members appointed by Trump (Board of Peace official site)
  • Executive board includes Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, Robert Gabriel Jr. (Board of Peace official site)
  • Founding members include more than two dozen countries (Reuters wire service)
  • Permanent membership requires $1 billion contribution (TIME magazine)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of member countries beyond 26
  • Specific membership fee amounts for different countries
  • Full list of heads of state on the board
  • Whether the board has UN recognition
  • Duration of the board’s mandate
  • How the board will enforce peace initiatives
  • Whether the board will hold regular public meetings

Quotes from Key Sources

“The Board of Peace is a new initiative announced by President Donald Trump as part of his Gaza peace roadmap. It includes a membership structure for states, with the chairman having significant powers.”

— Reuters wire service

“The board’s charter allows permanent membership for states that contribute at least $1 billion within the first year. Standard membership is for three years.”

— TIME magazine

“Membership is restricted to states invited by the chairman and represented by heads of state or high-ranking officials.”

— Al Jazeera news network

“The signing ceremony took place at the World Forum in Davos on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with founding members from more than two dozen countries.”

— CNBC business news network

The Board of Peace is still in its early stages, but its structure raises questions about transparency and inclusivity. For smaller nations, the choice is clear: pay the $1 billion or accept a limited three-year term with no guarantee of renewal. For the United States, the board offers a new tool for diplomatic leverage, but its long-term viability depends on whether member states see tangible results.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, cnn.com, newsweek.com, ajc.org

For a closer look at how the board’s membership process has already sparked controversy, see Carneys withdrawn invitation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace is a membership-based initiative launched by President Donald Trump in 2025 as part of a Gaza peace roadmap. It brings together states and officials to coordinate peace efforts, with a charter that includes membership fees and a governance structure.

How can I apply for membership?

Membership is by invitation only from the chairman. Countries can express interest through the official website boardofpeace.org, but the final decision rests with the chairman and executive board.

Does the Board of Peace have a membership fee?

Yes. Standard membership is for three years, and permanent membership requires a contribution of at least $1 billion within the first year, according to the charter reported by Reuters and TIME.

What is the role of the High Representative?

Nikolay Mladenov serves as High Representative for Gaza, overseeing the board’s peace initiatives and coordinating with member states. He reports to the chairman.

Are there any official documents listing all members?

The board’s official account has identified more than two dozen founding members, but a full public list of all members and their representatives has not been released.

Is the Board of Peace a UN-recognized body?

No. The Board of Peace is a US-led initiative and is not part of the United Nations. Its recognition and legitimacy depend on the participation of member states.

Can countries with ongoing conflicts join the Board of Peace?

The charter does not explicitly exclude conflict-affected states. However, membership is by invitation from the chairman, and countries involved in active conflicts may face political hurdles.