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Marrakech – US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace will convene its inaugural meeting in Washington on February 19, marking the first gathering since the organization’s launch at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month.
The meeting will take place at the US Institute of Peace, serving dual purposes as a diplomatic assembly and fundraising event for Gaza’s reconstruction. A US official confirmed the February 19 date, though specific details remain under development.
The Board of Peace emerged from Trump’s “Gaza peace plan,” initially focused on overseeing the territory’s reconstruction after Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. However, the organization’s mandate has expanded to address global conflicts, raising concerns among critics who view it as an attempt to challenge the United Nations’ authority.
Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to join the initiative, with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita representing the kingdom at the January 22 signing ceremony in Davos.
Rabat’s decision to ratify the charter is part of a carefully calibrated strategic trajectory rooted in the Abraham Accords and the steady deepening of ties with Washington.
Since resuming ties with Israel in December 2020, Morocco has folded normalization into a far-reaching strategic bargain, translating diplomatic alignment into tangible geopolitical returns.
Chief among these was the US recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a cornerstone decision that reinforced one of America’s oldest diplomatic relationships, dating back to 1777, when Morocco became the first country to recognize the newly independent country.
The Moroccan participation aligns with the country’s established role as a mediator between the Israeli and Palestinian sides. Rabat maintains dialogue with both parties while supporting the creation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Morocco’s involvement extends beyond diplomatic participation. Reports suggest the country is being considered as a major contributor to an international stabilization force in Gaza, alongside Indonesia.
Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch initially appeared to confirm potential troop deployment, though his office later clarified he only confirmed Morocco’s board membership.
The organization has attracted approximately two dozen member countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, Hungary, and Argentina.
Central Asian states Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan joined alongside Southeast Asian members Indonesia and Vietnam. Permanent membership requires a $1 billion cash contribution within the first year.
Notably, most European allies have declined participation, with France, Norway, and Sweden expressing skepticism about the board’s mandate and structure.
Observers have voiced concerns over potential bias among the board’s members, singling out the participation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as particularly contentious.
Critics further describe the organization as resembling a colonial-style administrative authority, given its oversight role in Gaza in the absence of direct Palestinian representation.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has confirmed his attendance at the February 19 meeting, becoming the first European leader to publicly commit to participation.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House on February 18, one day before the board meeting, though Israeli officials indicate their discussion will focus on Iran.
The meeting occurs amid ongoing violations of the Gaza ceasefire, with over 550 Palestinians reportedly killed by Israel since the truce began in October. The fragile peace agreement remains central to the board’s immediate priorities as it seeks to establish its role in international conflict resolution.
