Washington tells diplomats Trump’s "Board of Peace" will complement, not replace UN

The US State Department has instructed American diplomats to emphasise that President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is not intended to replace the United Nations but rather to complement it, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

The guidance is contained in a set of talking points circulated to US diplomatic missions worldwide. It comes despite Trump having suggested several times this week that the new body is necessary because the United Nations has failed to resolve some of the world’s most serious conflicts.

The Board of Peace was initially conceived as a group of prominent global figures tasked with overseeing a transitional process in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. That role formed part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which brought an end to fighting between Israel and Hamas militants.

As further details have emerged, however, diplomats under Secretary of State Marco Rubio have sought to play down growing concerns among foreign governments about the board’s scope and ambition. Trump is set to chair the body, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

According to the talking points, it is appropriate for the US president to make final decisions on admissions, given that the Board of Peace is an American-led initiative. While the group will be headquartered in the United States, it is expected to convene frequently via Zoom video conferencing.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the internal guidance, saying only that Trump plans to make a formal announcement about the Board of Peace and that there was nothing further to share at this stage.

A draft charter of the board reviewed by Bloomberg indicates a potentially global mandate, with the stated aim of “securing enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” The draft document also proposes that countries make a voluntary contribution of at least $1 billion to secure a permanent seat on the board.

Under the proposed structure, Trump, as the inaugural chair, would hold ultimate decision-making authority and could retain the position for life, extending beyond his presidency. The chairmanship would continue until he chooses to step down, and his removal would require a unanimous vote, according to the sources.

Trump has said he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the board, a move that angered European leaders amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron declined an invitation, after which Trump threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on French champagne. Other Western leaders have also expressed hesitation as more details about the board have become public.

US diplomats have been instructed to describe membership as flexible, with countries able to join subject to the chair’s approval and to withdraw immediately if they choose. They are also directed to rebut claims that there is a $1 billion “entry fee,” while not disputing that long-term participation would require substantial financial contributions.