Donald Trump launched the Peace Committee together with leaders from 19 countries on the sidelines of the WEF meeting in Davos, also revealing information about a plan to build "New Gaza."
On Thursday, 22 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Donald Trump, President of the United States, launched the "Board of Peace" in Davos, Switzerland, seeking to portray himself as a global peacemaker despite widespread skepticism about his plan, which aims to reshape the world order.
Trump's officials revealed an ambitious plan to build "New Gaza" during an event outside the World Economic Forum, with the U.S. leader referring to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory as "prime real estate."
This committee was founded after Trump expressed disappointment at missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize and criticized the United Nations (UN) for failing to resolve numerous international conflicts.
"Well, this is very exciting," Trump said as leaders and officials from 19 countries gathered on stage to sign the founding charter of the Peace Committee at a ski resort in Switzerland, adding, "This committee has the potential to be one of the most important organizations ever created."
Originally chaired by Trump, the Peace Committee was intended to oversee a ceasefire and post-war reconstruction between Hamas and Israel in Gaza but later shifted its focus to resolving all forms of international conflicts, raising concerns that the U.S. president aims to establish a rival organization to the UN.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has invited many countries to join this committee, with Trump stating that nations can pay one billion U.S. dollars for permanent membership. The U.S. leader also invited Vladimir Putin, currently at odds with Europe over the Ukraine war, to participate.
Key U.S. allies, including France and the United Kingdom, have expressed concerns about the formation of this Peace Committee. The UK announced on Thursday it would not attend the ceremony, while Trump told world leaders gathered that his committee would work alongside the United Nations.
Most of the ceremony was devoted to discussing future plans for the Gaza Strip, devastated by war. The newly appointed Gaza administration said via video message that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would reopen in both directions next week.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former real estate developer, presented slides he called the "Master Plan" for reconstruction, featuring maps of new settlements in Gaza and renderings of luxury hotels and seaside apartments under the name "New Gaza."
"This can be a place of hope and a destination," Kushner said.
However, Trump stated that Hamas must disarm according to the next phase of the ceasefire agreement or face their end. The U.S. leader also expressed willingness to "talk" with Iran, the U.S.'s adversary in the Middle East.
Representatives from 19 countries joined Trump on stage, including populist allies like Hungary's Viktor Orban and Argentina's Javier Milei, along with officials from several Middle Eastern monarchies seeking closer ties with the U.S., though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had said he would attend, was absent.
Trump joked about the participants, saying, "Most of them are very popular leaders, but in some cases, maybe not so popular," adding, "That's just how life is."
Trump said he expects about 50 countries to join but noted that the exact membership criteria remain unclear. Egypt confirmed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi accepted Trump's invitation but was also not present on stage.
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Source:cna