2 hours ago
Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 00:37 IST
Several countries have expressed concern over Trump's Gaza Peace Board, saying it would undermine the work of UN in Gaza.
French President Macron, Canadian PM Carney and US President Donald Trump pose for a family photo during the G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada. (IMAGE: AFP FILE/REPRESENTATIVE)
US President Donald Trump’s ambitious “Board of Peace", aimed at governance and reconstruction of post-war Gaza has faced fresh opposition as France and Canada have expressed reluctance to join the initiative.
A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP that he “does not intend to answer favourably" to Trump’s invitation, adding that its charter “goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza."
“It raises major questions, particularly regarding respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations, which under no circumstances can be called into question," they added. Notably, France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
This came after the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement reiterating France’s commitment to the UN. The ministry said it was reviewing the proposed legal framework of the board with its partners, raising concern that the “project extends beyond the situation in Gaza".
Canada ‘Won’t Pay’ For Board Seat
Meanwhile, a Canadian government source told AFP that Ottawa will not pay to be on Trump’s Gaza Peace Board, after Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated he would accept the US invitation to join the body.
“Canada will not pay for a seat on the board, nor has that been requested of Canada at this time," the government source said. This came after the draft charter of the US to over 60 countries said they would be allowed to join the board for three years or longer if they paid more than $1.0 billion in cash within the first year, sparking concerns.
The source said Carney had initially indicated he would join the board “because it is important to have a seat at the table to shape this process from within." However, many terms and conditions are still being worked out, the source added.
The Trump administration has invited political leaders, diplomats and business figures from around the world to join the new board, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as part of a US-backed and UN-supported plan to demilitarise and rebuild the territory after two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
More than 60 countries have reportedly been sent invitations to join the board. These include Jordan, Canada, Hungary, Vietnam, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Argentina, Albania and Paraguay.
Several countries have expressed concern that the board would undermine the United Nations if it went ahead. Russia and China, two veto-wielding powers, abstained from a resolution on the board, saying it did not give the UN a clear role in the future of Gaza.
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, a close Trump ally, gave an unequivocal acceptance in response to the invitation. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also agreed to join the “Board of Peace".
(with inputs from agencies)
First Published:
January 19, 2026, 22:00 IST
News world Trump's Gaza Peace Board Faces Opposition As France Pulls Back, Canada Refuses To Pay
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