Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Saturday that he will travel to Washington, D.C., in two weeks to participate in the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.” Initially, the board was intended to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, but its charter suggests a broader mandate that may challenge the authority of the United Nations.
During a campaign event in the western town of Szombathely, Orbán stated, “Two weeks from now we will meet again in Washington, because the Board of Peace, the peace body, will have an inaugural meeting.” This initiative was launched last month at an event held in Davos, Switzerland, where leaders and representatives from various nations gathered to discuss its objectives.
The formation of the Board of Peace has raised eyebrows, particularly concerning its funding structure. Permanent members are required to contribute $1 billion to join, leading to criticisms that the board may resemble a “pay to play” model akin to the UN Security Council. The UN had previously passed a resolution in November 2023 approving the board, with a focus primarily on stabilizing Gaza as outlined in the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan for the region.
Since the initial announcement, the scope of the board’s responsibilities appears to have expanded. Trump indicated last month that the Board of Peace “might” take on a role that rivals the UN, potentially establishing itself as a new global governing body. Reports from CBS News confirm that over 50 countries were invited to join the board as of January 21, 2024. However, the White House has not clarified the criteria for selecting participating nations, and many of those announced have yet to confirm their attendance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is set to lead the board, acknowledged that the formation is still evolving, suggesting that the Trump administration anticipates an increase in membership over time.
Orbán, currently the longest-serving national leader in the European Union, faces significant challenges ahead of the general election scheduled for April 12, 2024. Recent independent polls indicate that the opposition, led by former government insider turned critic Peter Magyar, is currently ahead. Key issues affecting public sentiment include a stagnating economy and growing dissatisfaction with public services.
As the international community watches closely, the implications of the Board of Peace’s establishment and its potential impact on global governance remain to be seen.
