Eight Arab and Muslim countries announced on Wednesday that they are joining President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, a move seen as a significant step forward in the American-led effort to rebuild the Gaza Strip. The countries joining the initiative are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the participating countries welcomed Trump's invitation and pledged to support the board's mission as a transitional governing body. The board was defined under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, which ratified the agreement to end the war, as a body tasked with consolidating the ceasefire, overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza and promoting lasting peace in the region.
The ministers said their countries are committed to "establishing a permanent ceasefire, supporting the reconstruction of Gaza and advancing a just and sustainable peace." They added that such peace would be based on "the realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their state in accordance with international law, thereby paving the way for security and stability for all countries and peoples of the region."
Accession process and earlier signatories
The statement noted that "each country will sign the accession documents in accordance with its relevant legal procedures." It also said that Egypt, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates had previously announced their intention to join the board.
Dozens of countries have been invited by the US administration to take part in the board, which is expected to oversee Gaza's reconstruction and function as a transitional governing body. The White House, however, envisions a broader role for the board in addressing conflicts around the world.
Around 25 countries have already announced their participation, including Israel, Bahrain, Hungary, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Norway and Sweden declined the invitation, while France and the UK are also expected to reject it. Russia and China were invited as well but have not yet announced their positions.
Trump is expected to hold a formal signing ceremony for the Board of Peace on Thursday in Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. It remains unclear which countries will actually sign the accession documents during the ceremony.
