In a bid to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza, former President Donald Trump is set to host the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington later this month.

Scheduled for February 19, this gathering aims to bring together world leaders who responded to Trump’s January invitation to join this initiative. The meeting promises to focus on raising funds and exploring strategies for rebuilding Gaza.

Key participants will include an executive committee dedicated to overseeing the governance, security, and redevelopment of the Gaza territory. This information comes from two Trump administration officials, who shared these insights under the condition of anonymity due to the meeting’s unofficial status and the ongoing finalization of its agenda.

The extent of attendance from global leaders remains uncertain, though one administration insider expressed confidence in “robust” participation. As preparations continue, an invitation sent late last Friday reveals that the meeting will take place at the venue now known as the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace.

One official said the administration expected ‘robust’ participation. 

A copy of the invitation that was sent late on Friday to invited participants says the meeting will be held at the US Institute of Peace, now known as the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace. 

The administration seized the facility last year and fired almost all the institute’s staff.

Trump’s new board was first seen as a mechanism focused on ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace will hold its first Washington meeting on February 19 to coordinate Gaza reconstruction and global peace efforts

The summit will take place at the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace, a facility his administration seized and repurposed last year

However, it has taken shape with his ambition for a far broader mandate of resolving global crises and appears to be the latest US effort to sidestep the United Nations as Trump aims to reset the post-World War II international order. 

Many of America’s top allies in Europe and elsewhere have declined to join what they suspect may be an attempt to rival the Security Council.

The planned Washington gathering marks the most significant step yet in Trump’s effort to transform the Board of Peace from an idea into a functioning international body with global reach.

Officials familiar with the preparations confirmed the meeting will serve as a central forum for raising funds for Gaza’s reconstruction and establishing the board’s operational framework. 

The invitation letter outlining the meeting was shared with The New York Times. 

The Board of Peace first convened publicly last month in Davos, Switzerland, where participating countries signed its founding charter, formally establishing the organization.

That charter outlined a sweeping mission, stating the board would ‘secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict,’ signaling ambitions well beyond Gaza.

Initially conceived as a mechanism to help rebuild the devastated Palestinian territory following the Israel-Hamas war, the board’s mandate has rapidly expanded into a broader peace-building initiative intended to address conflicts around the world.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confirmed he will attend the meeting, telling supporters, ‘Two weeks from now we will meet again in Washington’

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev is among the world leaders who joined the Board of Peace as part of Trump’s expanding diplomatic coalition

The upcoming Washington meeting will be a critical test of whether Trump can translate that vision into a functioning global institution – and whether enough nations are willing to align themselves with his initiative.

The creation of the Board of Peace has exposed deep divisions among US allies, particularly in Europe, where several nations, including France and others. have declined to participate.

Critics and analysts say the initiative reflects Trump’s longstanding skepticism toward traditional multilateral institutions and his desire to reshape the global diplomatic framework.

Under the board’s charter, Trump would serve as chairman and hold veto power over certain decisions, underscoring his central role in directing the organization’s activities.

Countries seeking permanent membership must contribute $1 billion, according to the charter, establishing a high financial threshold that could shape the board’s composition and influence.

Despite skepticism from some allies, more than 20 countries have already joined, including Argentina, Hungary, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Israel became the latest country to join President Trump’s Board of Peace last month

Trump asked both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join the board

Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, has participated in discussions tied to Gaza reconstruction and post-war governance planning although the UK has not joined the Board

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban publicly confirmed he plans to attend the Washington meeting, telling supporters at a campaign event: ‘Two weeks from now we will meet again in Washington,’ referring to Trump, ‘because the Board of Peace, the peace body, will hold its inaugural meeting.’

Rebuilding Gaza remains at the core of the board’s immediate priorities.

Officials said one of the primary objectives of the Washington summit will be securing financial commitments to fund reconstruction efforts following widespread destruction caused by the war.

The Board of Peace was first outlined in Trump’s 20-point plan announced last September aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

That broader diplomatic effort contributed to cease-fire negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States.

France has indicated it will not join the board while the UK said it was ‘concerned’ that Putin had been invited

The executive board, chaired by Trump, will also include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, left, and Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner, right

Trump will be chairman but also ‘separately serve’ as representative of the United States

The Washington meeting may signal Trump’s determination to move forward with reconstruction plans even as the fragile cease-fire faces ongoing strain.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accepted Trump’s invitation to join the board, is scheduled to meet Trump separately in Washington next week.

Netanyahu said in a statement that his visit would focus on ‘negotiations with Iran,’ underscoring the overlapping geopolitical tensions surrounding the region.