Saudi Arabia, Qatar and seven other countries accept Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ invitation: statement

Saudi Arabia and eight other Muslim-majority countries—including Gaza mediators Qatar and Turkey—have agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” the Saudi foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

In a joint statement, Riyadh said the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates had taken a “shared decision” to join the Trump-chaired body, expressing support for his peace efforts regarding the Gaza conflict.

Kuwait later confirmed its participation, with its foreign ministry announcing on X that it had also accepted the invitation.

Invitations were reportedly sent to dozens of world leaders, requesting a $1 billion contribution for a permanent seat on the board, though the Saudi statement made no reference to any payment.

While the initiative was initially presented as a mechanism to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, the board’s charter appears to extend beyond the Strip and has been seen by some as an attempt to rival the United Nations—drawing criticism from several US allies, including France.

The development comes amid strains in relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, even as both countries seek to strengthen ties with the Trump administration through investment pledges and business deals.

France has indicated it will not join the board, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation, his office said on Wednesday. However, Netanyahu has objected to the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi on a “Gaza Executive Board” operating under the body.