United States President Donald Trump has requested that countries wanting a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace contribute at least US$1 billion (A$1.493 billion).
Bloomberg cited a draft charter for the proposed group that said Trump would serve as the inaugural chairman and would decide on invited members.
The Board of Peace is an international body that was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November and was established to oversee the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Decisions would be taken by a majority, with each member state present getting one vote, but all would be subject to the chairman’s approval.
“Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charter’s entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman. The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force,” the draft said.
Critics are concerned that Trump is trying to build an alternative to the United Nations, which he has long criticised.
A U.S. official told CNBC that while there will be no cost to join the board, a US$1 billion contribution would secure permanent membership.
Trump has invited several world leaders, like Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Argentine President Javier Milei, to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, which will be part of the larger Board of Peace.
