Armenia Joins Board of Peace as Founding Member Without $1 Billion Fee

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the signing ceremony of the “Board of Peace” charter in Davos, Switzerland. The ceremony took place on January 22 — the official launch of the new international platform.

Prime Minister Pashinyan joined the Board of Peace as a founding member at the personal invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump. The initiative brings together world leaders with the aim of managing post-war reconstruction, demilitarization, and regional stability, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

During the event, President Trump emphasized his role in ending several conflicts since taking office, including the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He also suggested that another international settlement, referring to Ukraine, could happen “very soon.”

The Board of Peace is presented as an alternative to the United Nations, with Trump describing it as a more practical and effective institution that operates directly under his supervision. According to Trump, the board will become “the most powerful body ever created.”

Executive members of the board include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Presidential Advisor Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Other world leaders attending the signing included Argentinian President Javier Milei, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Armenia joined the Board of Peace without paying the $1 billion fee required for permanent membership, according to Ani Badalyan, spokesperson for Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She explained that the fee is voluntary and only applies if a country wishes to become a permanent member within one year of the charter’s signing. Armenia’s membership, approved by the government, allows participation without a fixed fee for the first three years.

The charter establishes the structure and authority of the Board of Peace. The U.S. president serves as chairman and holds exclusive management powers, including the ability to veto decisions and determine membership.

By joining the board, Armenia positions itself as a founding member of a new international platform aimed at promoting peace and stability. The initiative highlights Armenia’s active role in global diplomacy and post-war reconstruction efforts.

As of the signing ceremony, several countries have formally accepted participation in the Board of Peace, while others have declined or have yet to make a final decision.

Countries that have accepted participation include Israel, following confirmation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and Egypt.

Additional participating states from Europe, Asia, and other regions include Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Paraguay, Argentina, and Belarus, whose participation has drawn controversy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the initiative by suggesting that Russia could contribute “$1 billion from Russian assets frozen during the previous U.S. administration” to the Board of Peace, though Russia itself has not issued a formal decision on membership.

Several countries have declined to participate, including Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, which has publicly confirmed it will not join.

Meanwhile, no final decisions have been announced by China, Russia, Germany, India, and Canada, leaving their potential involvement unresolved.

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