United States President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a new global initiative, the Board of Peace, positioning it as a potentially historic body aimed at ending conflicts and advancing international stability.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the board could become “one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” adding that he would personally serve as its chairman.
“As part of this historic record of major peace initiatives, today we’re announcing more details regarding the Board of Peace. It’s so important. This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” Trump said.
“And it’s my enormous honour to serve as its chairman. I was very honoured when they asked me to do it. I take it very seriously. We have a great group of people, incredible young people that are leading it from within. It’s running beautifully.”
Trump said interest in the initiative had been widespread, noting that “just about every country wants to be a part of it,” with invitations already sent out to participating nations.
“It started already in every country. Just about every country wants to be a part of it. And we just sent out the letters a couple of days ago. These are just the countries that are here in Davos, and we said we’d be honoured if you wanted to join us up on the stage.”
During the address, Trump praised the strength of the US military, crediting it with major security successes, including efforts to curb drug trafficking.
“We’ve stopped, virtually stopped, almost 100 per cent of all drugs coming in by water. Now we’re going to stop them on land. The land is easy, the water is tough,” he said.
“I heard it just last night, it was 97, 98.1 per cent. And we’re trying to figure out who are the two per cent that are willing to get into those boats. But we’ve taken out almost 100 per cent of all of the drugs coming into the United States by water.”
Trump also made sweeping claims about U.S. actions in Venezuela, saying Washington had secured new leadership ties and opened the country’s oil sector to American companies.
“The relationships have been good. We’re opening up the country to our giant oil companies, and it’s going very well,” he said.
“We’ve already taken out, think of this, 50 million barrels of oil. And a lot of that’s going to go back to Venezuela. They’ll do more income with us in a short period of time than they did in years.”
He added that US oil firms were already preparing to operate in Venezuela.
“All the oil companies want to go in. They want to go in immediately. They’re already touring the sites. Our military was amazing. The strike was amazing. We had a second wave coming, we didn’t need it. The first wave was enough.”
Trump reiterated his long-standing position on the war in Ukraine, insisting the conflict would not have occurred under his presidency.
“We’re working to end the horrible killing in Ukraine, where it should never have happened and would have never happened if I were president,” he said.
“I used to speak to Vladimir Putin about Ukraine. It was the apple of his eye, but he would never have ever done it. I used to say, ‘You can’t do that, Vladimir.’”
On the Middle East, Trump said the Board of Peace was rooted in efforts to end the conflict in Gaza, claiming that a US -backed plan had gained international support.
“Last October, we released a plan for the permanent end to the conflict in Gaza, and I’m pleased to say that our vision was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council late last year,” he said.
“Under phase one of this plan, we have maintained the Gaza ceasefire and delivered record levels of humanitarian aid.”
He also claimed credit for securing the release of hostages.
“We secured the release of 20 remaining living hostages. We got hundreds out, but the last 20 were tough. It was a tough one, but we got them — every one of them,” Trump said.
“We also had about 28 that were dead, but the parents wanted them just as though they were living. In just about all cases, young men. Their baby, their boy had been killed, and they wanted the body. And with the exception of one, we got them all.”
Trump said the final step would be the return of the last deceased hostage.
“I’ve been very clear that Hamas must return that last remaining deceased hostage as well, and that will be the full commitment.”
Looking ahead, Trump said the objective was to see Gaza demilitarised, properly governed and rebuilt, describing it as a model for future peace efforts.
“We’re committed to ensuring Gaza is demilitarised, properly governed, and beautifully rebuilt. It’s going to be a great plan,” he said.
“That’s where the Board of Peace really started, and I think we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza.”
He concluded by expressing scepticism about the United Nations’ past role in conflict resolution, while acknowledging its potential.
“I’ve always said the United Nations has tremendous potential. It has not used it. On the eight wars that I ended, I never spoke to the United Nations about any of them,” Trump said.
“You would think they could have done those eight wars, but they haven’t. They haven’t.”
The unveiling of the Board of Peace marks Trump’s latest attempt to frame his foreign policy legacy around conflict resolution and global influence, as world leaders and delegates looked on in Davos.
Boluwatife Enome
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