Former President Donald Trump recently promised to create a global peace commission to mediate peace in Gaza. Describing the committee as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled,” Trump has extended invitations to various leaders and influential figures from around the world to join this initiative. The committee continues to call for an end to the attacks on civilian communities in Gaza and for a just, lasting peace to be achieved.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has already agreed to attend. So have Canadian economist and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, and U.S. senator Marco Rubio. Each member brings their own unique perspectives and expertise to the committee, which is designed to transcend traditional diplomatic boundaries.
Notable Invitations Sent Out
Besides the core members, Trump has extended official invitations to join the committee to the following world leaders. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Argentine President Javier Milei, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have received invitations. Each leader stands before a monumental opportunity. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been invited to participate in this very ambitious endeavor. This includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been specifically invited to join.
Israel has already been sent an invitation to join as a founding member state. An Israeli official will appear on the web event’s behalf, representing the government of newly re-elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On behalf of France, French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the invitation. This decision is just part of a much more complicated international response to Trump’s proposal.
The calls for nominations reveal the very rich geopolitical tapestry that is represented by the committee’s members. Each leader’s involvement could significantly shape discussions surrounding peace in Gaza and broader regional stability.
Financial Commitment for Permanent Membership
To earn a permanent seat on the committee, members are required to pledge a financial contribution of $1 billion. This massive mandate requirement has turned heads and fueled conversations on the intentions and effects of adopting this kind of cash model. Intellectual Property Critics are surfacing concerns around this strategy. They question whether it subverts the goodwill of the peace effort’s intent, or if it’s a savvy move to secure buy-in from powerful players.
“Highly appreciates that the American side sees Belarus — and this is clearly stated in the text of the address — as a country ready to take on the noble responsibility of building a lasting peace and leading by example, investing in a secure and prosperous future for future generations.” – Belarusian Foreign Ministry’s press service
A Broader Mandate Beyond Gaza
This committee’s main priority should be to ensure the introduction and implementation of a peace plan enabling Gaza’s residents to return home. Some members argue that its work should stop there. Helen McEntee, a notable figure associated with the initiative, stated that the committee “would have a mandate wider than the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.” This indicates ambitions to see the same engagement with other international crises and issues beyond the Gaza conflict.
The United Nations is a critical partner for the U.S. in promoting international peace and security. As global tensions increasingly make multilateralism a necessity, its legitimacy is paramount. McEntee emphasized this point:
“The United Nations has a unique mandate to maintain international peace and security, and the legitimacy to bring nations together to find common solutions to shared challenges. While it may be imperfect, the UN and the primacy of international law is more important now than ever.” – Helen McEntee
Implications for Global Diplomacy
The establishment of this international committee marks an important new chapter for the next stage of global diplomacy and peace-building. This new bureaucracy boasts a multicolored array of political leaders, but they provide no small amount of cash to persuade you to join the ranks. It remains to be seen how well they do it, especially on thorny geopolitical issues. How different countries respond will most probably determine the success or failure of Trump’s committee. Similarly, it will affect how the committee is viewed by the international community at large.
