The first meeting of the Peace Council—an initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip—will take place on Thursday in Washington. So far, representatives from around 20 countries have confirmed their participation, while invitations have been sent to roughly 60 states.
As Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated, under the current circumstances and conditions the Polish government does not foresee Poland’s participation in the Peace Council. Poland will be represented by a minister in the Chancellery of the President, the Head of the International Policy Bureau, Marcin Przydacz, who is traveling to Washington in the capacity of an observer.
A discussion of the Gaza reconstruction plan is scheduled in Washington on Thursday, and Trump is expected to unveil details of a $5 billion assistance program for the territory.
Attendance has been announced at the level of heads of state by Indonesia (President Prabowo Subianto), Romania (President Nicușor Dan), Argentina (President Javier Milei), Uzbekistan (President Shavkat Mirziyoyev), Kazakhstan (President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev), and Vietnam (Communist Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm).
At the level of heads of government, the participants will include Pakistan (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif), Hungary (Prime Minister Viktor Orbán), Cambodia (Prime Minister Hun Manet), Egypt (Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly), Armenia (Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan), and Albania (Prime Minister Edi Rama).
At the level of foreign ministers, Turkey and Israel have confirmed their presence. Bulgaria is expected to be represented by Ivan Naydenov, a secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Council’s composition does not include political representation from Palestine, which is one of the reasons some countries have declined to join the initiative.
Some countries have confirmed attendance as observers. Italy will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia will be represented by their foreign ministers, Petr Macinka and Juraj Blanár respectively.
Marcin Przydacz, a minister in the office of President Karol Nawrocki, who is also traveling to Washington as an observer, emphasized in an interview with PAP that he will take part in the Peace Council meeting in Washington for the sake of Polish-American relations and the broader transatlantic relationship.
Mexico, as an observer, will be represented by its ambassador to the United Nations; South Korea by the prime minister’s envoy and a former ambassador to Egypt; and the European Union by the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica.
An appearance is also expected—though not officially confirmed—by representatives of Jordan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Azerbaijan, El Salvador, Paraguay, Bahrain, Kosovo, Greece, Cyprus, Japan, and Qatar.
The Peace Council does not include some of the United States’ traditional allies, such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In addition to Poland, several countries have refused participation, including Spain, Austria, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, as well as the Vatican, Australia, and New Zealand. In Canada’s case, the invitation was reportedly withdrawn by Trump after critical remarks made by Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
China, India, Brazil, and Russia have confirmed receiving invitations, but have not yet decided whether to join.
The Peace Council is described as an international institution created to supervise the second phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan, encompassing the demilitarization and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Trump serves as chair and retains the right to appoint the Council’s members. The body may establish international stabilization forces and, according to Trump, could in the future replace the United Nations in the Middle East.
Funding is to be based on voluntary contributions from member states, other countries, and organizations. Several participation categories are envisaged, differing in term length and the scope of powers. Permanent membership is to be granted to states that, within the first year after the Charter enters into force, contribute at least $1 billion in cash; in that case, the standard term-limit restrictions would not apply. Non-permanent members would serve three-year terms with the possibility of renewal. Participation is also foreseen for states and regional organizations in a capacity similar to that of an observer. Decisions on inviting new members and approving their status would rest with the Council’s Chair, Donald Trump.
