President Donald Trump held the inaugural meeting of his new Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, with nine members pledging to give $7 billion toward a Gaza aid package.
The event, held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which now bears Trump’s name, was missing some key U.S. allies who have not joined the bloc. Some, including Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, sent official observers to the meeting.
What Is the Board of Peace?
The board stemmed from Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which included a ceasefire with Israel brokered by the United States in October. That has remained fragile, however, and the U.S. president’s plan has expanded to have a more ambitious remit, aiming to end other conflicts around the world, not just in the Middle East.
Who Are the Members and Which Countries Are Represented?
While invitations were sent out to dozens of countries, not all have agreed to join the board alongside the U.S.
Those countries that have accepted are:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kosovo
- Morocco
- Mongolia
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
Others have opted out, including multiple European nations.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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