Spain will not take part in the Board of Peace initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump to tackle global conflicts, saying the decision was consistent with its belief in multilateralism and the United Nations system. "We appreciate the invitation, but we decline," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters late on Thursday after an EU summit in Brussels.
Washington says the body will help broker and monitor ceasefires, organise security arrangements and coordinate rebuilding in places emerging from war. The concept stems from Trump's Gaza peace plan. Missing from the board's launch ceremony held at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland's Davos on Thursday were traditional U.S. allies such as Canada, Britain and all European Union members except Hungary and Bulgaria.
Sanchez cited consistency with Madrid's commitment to international law, the U.N. and multilateralism as the main reasons it was declining to participate. Sanchez also said the Board of Peace did not include the Palestinian Authority. Israel has joined the board, along with Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday formally introduced his newly established “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, flanked by several world leaders who have agreed to join the initiative, which will initially focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
The initiative has received backing from key Middle Eastern powers, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar, while traditional US allies such as European nations and Canada have either declined participation or remain hesitant to commit. The announcement coincided with the launch of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which halted Israel's war on Gaza that has killed more than 71,000 people since October 2023. The Board of Peace is part of a 20-point plan proposed by Trump and later adopted by the UN Security Council in November 2025.
Below is a breakdown compiled by Anadolu of countries that have accepted the invitation, those still considering it, and those that have declined:
Countries that have accepted
Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have signed up, with their representatives attending Thursday’s ceremony in Davos. Morocco has accepted the invitation and was represented by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita at the launch event. Bahrain has signed up and was represented in Davos by Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the prime minister’s court minister. Argentina has accepted, with President Javier Milei attending the ceremony. Azerbaijan and Armenia have joined and were represented by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, respectively, at the Davos launch. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accepted the invitation to participate. Kazakhstan has agreed to join, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the Davos event. Kosovo has signed up, with President Vjosa Osmani present at the ceremony. Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam accepted the invitation on behalf of his country. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has also accepted the invitation to join the board. Bulgaria, Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Mongolia also agreed to join the board, with leaders and representatives from each country taking part in the signing event.
Invitations under review
Several countries have confirmed receiving invitations but have yet to announce final decisions: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Moscow is “ready” to allocate $1 billion to US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, adding that he would discuss the use of frozen Russian assets during a meeting with US envoys in Moscow later in the day. China confirmed receipt of an invitation without stating whether it would participate. Germany acknowledged the invitation and said it is under consideration. India and Brazil said decisions would follow internal consultations. The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV received an invitation. Canada has taken a cautious approach, with Prime Minister Mark Carney yet to announce a final decision on joining. Later, Trump said that he is withdrawing an invitation for Canada to join the "Board of Peace." Ireland said it would give the proposal "careful consideration." Romania, Finland, Greece, Cyprus, Japan, Austria, Australia, the Netherlands, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand have been invited but have not yet announced their final positions.
Countries that have rejected
Several European countries have declined participation, citing legal and institutional concerns: The UK said it will not yet be signing up over concerns about the possible participation of Russia. France said it does not intend to join "at this stage," warning the board could be granted powers that undermine existing UN mechanisms. Norway and Sweden announced similar refusals, arguing the initiative conflicts with international law and established multilateral frameworks. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country needs more time to decide on joining, citing constitutional issues. Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob said his country will not join the board for now, citing concerns that the initiative’s broad mandate could undermine the international system anchored in the UN.