UAE President agrees to join Trump’s controversial ‘Board of Peace’

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has accepted an invitation to join US President Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace,” a body intended to oversee post-war reconstruction efforts in Gaza, the UAE foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.

The decision comes as the board faces growing scrutiny over its structure and funding model. Washington has reportedly invited several world leaders to join the Trump-chaired panel, with permanent membership linked to contributions of up to $1 billion.

Role in Gaza reconstruction

While the board was initially framed as a mechanism to manage Gaza’s rebuilding, its charter reportedly does not restrict its scope to the Strip and appears designed to operate alongside — or potentially rival — existing international institutions such as the United Nations.

"Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has accepted the invitation from the United States to join the Board of Peace," the ministry said in a statement.

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed said the move reflects Abu Dhabi’s support for “the UAE's decision reflects the importance of fully implementing President Donald J Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza,” which he said was essential to advancing the legitimate rights of Palestinians.

Regional politics and controversy

The development comes amid shifting dynamics among Washington’s key Arab allies, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, both of which have sought to strengthen ties with the Trump administration through investment commitments and business partnerships.

According to the board’s charter, member nations typically serve three-year terms, renewable at the chairman’s discretion. However, this limit does not apply to countries that contribute more than $1,000,000,000 in cash to the board within its first year.

The UAE, one of the few Arab countries with formal diplomatic ties to Israel following the Abraham Accords in 2020, has faced criticism across the Arab world over its relationship with Israel, especially during the Gaza war. Despite this, Abu Dhabi has continued humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including air drops during periods when land access was restricted.

The UAE also already has representation on the board, with Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy serving on one of its subcommittees.

The Board of Peace forms a key second-phase element of a US-backed plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, which came into effect on October 10 last year.