What is the idea of the Peace Council?
The Peace Council was created to oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza. In November last year, the council received the support of the UN Security Council in a resolution, giving it an international mandate and legitimacy.
But the charters published by the US in recent days do not mention Gaza. Instead, they speak of a broader mission aimed at promoting stability and securing lasting peace "in areas affected by or threatened by conflict."
Who is involved?
The Peace Council is chaired by US President Donald Trump, who has veto power over all decisions.
The list of invitees is long and includes some 60 countries – everything from the UK, Sweden and Germany to Russia, Turkey and India. No Palestinian representatives are on the list.
So far, a few heads of state have formally agreed, including Argentina's Trump-friendly President Javier Milei and Hungary's leader Viktor Orbán. Sweden and several other countries, including Russia, have called for more information before taking a position. The United States wants the statutes to be signed by all members in Davos on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron has refused, prompting Trump to threaten 200 percent tariffs on French wines and champagne.
How much does it cost?
Membership is free and valid for three years, but it can be extended by Trump.
However, those who want a permanent seat on the council must, during the first year, pay a sum of one billion dollars, equivalent to just over 9.1 billion Swedish kronor.
It is unclear how much control Trump will have over the money.
New UN?
The Peace Council is clearly designed as a challenger to the UN, critics say. Trump has long accused the UN of being ineffective, wasting money and having an overly liberal, “woke” agenda.
The statutes emphasize “the need for a more flexible and effective international peacebuilding body” and the importance of “departing from methods and institutions that have too often failed.”
"Many are quite concerned that this is the US government's attempt to replace the power and legitimacy of the Security Council," UN analyst Maya Ungar at the International Crisis Group told ABC News.
"Especially since it gives Donald Trump the power to basically have unilateral veto power over all decisions made by the Council."
Donald Trump, President of the United States (Chairman)
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
Steve Witkoff, US Middle East envoy
Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law
Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister
Marc Rowan, CEO of the venture capital firm Apollo Global
Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank/World Bank Group
Robert Gabriel Jr., US Deputy National Security Advisor
Source: White House
