Saudi Arabia, alongside eight other Muslim-majority nations, has accepted an invitation to join the “Board of Peace,” a new initiative chaired by former US President Donald Trump. The announcement was made in a joint statement released by the Saudi foreign ministry on Wednesday.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates confirmed their participation, stating their support for Trump’s “peace efforts” related to the Gaza conflict. Later, Kuwait’s foreign ministry also confirmed its acceptance via a post on the social media platform X.
Invitations for the board were reportedly sent to numerous world leaders with a request for a $1 billion payment for a permanent seat, though the Saudi statement did not address this financial component.
While the board was initially presented as a body to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, its charter suggests a broader mandate that could potentially rival the role of the United Nations. This has raised concerns among some US allies, including France, which has indicated it will not join.
The development occurs amidst existing political tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of whom have been seeking to strengthen ties with the Trump administration through investment and business agreements.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also accepted a seat on the board. However, his office noted his objection to the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi in a specialized “Gaza Executive Board” operating under the main body.
