In a significant diplomatic development unfolding at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Egypt and seven other Muslim majority countries have formally agreed to join a U.S. initiated “Board of Peace” aimed at advancing a permanent ceasefire, reconstruction, and long‑term stability in the Gaza Strip, a key component of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace strategy.

Foreign ministers from eight countries issued a joint statement confirming their shared decision to participate in the board after invitations from President Trump. The nations committing to the initiative are:
• Egypt
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkey (Türkiye)
• Jordan
• Indonesia
• Pakistan
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Each country will complete domestic legal and procedural requirements to formalize their membership. Some, such as Egypt, Pakistan, and the UAE, have already publicly confirmed their acceptance.
The Board of Peace is designed to serve as a transitional oversight body with a mandate to:
• Consolidate a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
• Facilitate reconstruction of infrastructure and essential services
• Support a just and lasting peace based on Palestinian self‑determination and statehood under international law
• Foster security and regional stability

According to the joint statement by the foreign ministers, their participation affirms support for peace efforts led by President Trump and underscores a shared commitment to implementing the board’s mission as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which was endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. The Board of Peace forms part of the second phase of a broader diplomatic strategy that followed a United Nations‑backed ceasefire agreement in October 2025, which had brought an end to more than two years of intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. The initiative was publicly launched by President Trump at the Davos forum, where he signed the founding charter and outlined the board’s leadership structure. The Board is intended to work alongside existing peace mechanisms including interim Palestinian governance bodies to ensure a coordinated approach to political transition and reconstruction. While the decision by these eight nations signals broader regional support, the Board has not been universally embraced. Some Western European countries have declined to participate, citing concerns that the board’s scope could overlap with or undermine the role of the United Nations Security Council in global conflict mediation. Despite these differing views, the inclusion of Egypt and other influential Muslim majority states gives the initiative significant diplomatic weight in Middle Eastern and international efforts to stabilize Gaza and advance peace.
Each participating country will now proceed with the legal and procedural steps required to formalize their Board membership. The board’s work is expected to focus initially on cementing the ceasefire, scaling up humanitarian aid, and coordinating reconstruction, with future phases potentially addressing broader governance and political questions. As this new diplomatic framework takes shape, its effectiveness will be judged on how well it promotes lasting peace on the ground, meets humanitarian needs, and contributes to a comprehensive political solution to the decades‑long conflict in the region.