What is Trump's 'Board of Peace' And How Will It Be Governed? | A Look Into Its Charter

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump’s 'Board of Peace,' earlier seen to be a mechanism aimed at ending the war in Gaza, seems to have now expanded its scope to mitigate other world crises, potentially seen by many geopolitical experts as the US' equivalent to the United States. This come amid Trump's recent exit from several international organizations, in a massive blow to multilateralism in a globalized modern world.

As the Trump administration hands out invitations to various heads of state, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to this new group, let us take a deep dive into the mechanisms of this Board, that promises to deal with various international conflicts, beginning with Gaza.

What Is The Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace promises to promote world stability, restore governance, and secure peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. The body also undertakes peace-building functions in conflicted territories, in accordance with international law.

Who All Are Its Members?

Membership in the Board of Peace is limited to States who are invited by the Chairman (US President, as of now), and commences after the State notifies that it has consented to be bound by the Charter. The Member State should be represented on the Board by its government, and should support and assist with its operations.

How Will It Be Governed?

• The Board of Peace should vote on all proposals on its agenda, including its annual budgets, establishment of subsidiary entities, appointment of senior executive officers, and other major policies like approval of international agreements.
• The Board should be convening voting meetings at least once a year. The agenda for the meeting would be set by the Executive Board, and must be informed to all Member States and approved by the Chairman.
• Each Member State will be having one vote.
• Decisions would be taken by a majority of the Member States present and voting, subject to the approval of the Chairman, who may also cast a vote in his capacity as Chairman in the event of a tie.
• The Board may also hold regular non-voting meetings with its Executive Board. The Member States are expected to submit recommendations and guidance with respect to the Executive Board’s activities. The Executive Board reports to the Board of Peace on its operations and decisions. 
• The Chairman may also issue invitations to relevant regional economic integration organizations to participate in its proceedings.

Who is its Chairman

US President Donald Trump is serving as the inaugural Chairman of the Board of Peace. The Chairman shall have exclusive authority to create, modify, or dissolve subsidiary entities as necessary to fulfill the Board of Peace’s mission.

Who Comprises The Executive Board

The Executive Board is selected by the Chairman and consist of leaders of global stature. Every member in it are expected to serve two-year terms, subject to removal by the Chairman and renewable at his discretion. The Board is led by a Chief Executive nominated by the Chairman and confirmed by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

To operationalize the Board of Peace’s vision, a founding Executive Board has been formed by the Trump administration, composed of leaders with experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy. The appointed members are United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, CEO of Apollo Global Management Marc Rowan, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and US Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.

The Chief Executive is expected to convene the Executive Board every two weeks for the first three months following its establishment, and on a monthly basis thereafter. All decisions of the Executive Board would be made by a majority of its members present and voting, including the Chief Executive, and such decisions should go into effect immediately, subject to veto by the Chairman. This Board will also be setting its own rules of procedure.

The Executive Board is expected to exercise powers necessary to implement the Board of Peace’s mission. It is also required to report to the Board of Peace on its activities and decisions on a quarterly basis.

What If There's A Dispute

Internal disputes between and among the Board of Peace Members has to be resolved through “amicable collaboration,” consistent with the organizational authorities established by the Charter. The Chairman is the final authority regarding the meaning, interpretation, and application of this Charter.

What If There's A Need for Amendment

Amendments to the Charter may be proposed by the Executive Board or at least one-third of the Member States of the Board of Peace acting together. Proposed amendments have to be circulated to all Member States at least thirty days before being voted on. Such amendments would be adopted after it is approved by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Peace and confirmation by the Chairman. 

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