Donald Trump and leaders from 19 countries attended the ceremony to establish the Peace Board, part of the US president's plan to rebuild Gaza. Kosovo's President, Vjosa Osmani, was among the signatories, after Kosovo agreed to be part of the Board. The ceremony took place in Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum is being held.
Kosovo has been included in the group of 19 countries that will be part of the Peace Board, established and led by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. The officialization ceremony of this international organization held in Davos, Switzerland was attended by the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani.
She thanked President Trump for the invitation, while announcing that the agreement on Kosovo's participation in this Board will be sent to the Assembly for ratification.
"When America leads, peace is always more secure! Today, in Davos, on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, I signed the Charter of the Peace Board as a founding member, equal and with full rights, side by side with the United States of America. Membership in international peace organizations led by our strategic ally strengthens our sovereignty, our international position, and is in the highest interest of the Republic of Kosovo. Therefore, this historic agreement will be sent to the Assembly of Kosovo for ratification, in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo, to receive the final approval of the people's representatives. Thank you to President Trump for his leadership and for the invitation to represent the Republic of Kosovo at this historic moment. Kosovo will be at the service of peace, today and forever!", Osmani wrote on Facebook after the signing ceremony.
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Osmani spoke about the importance of the Peace Board in resolving conflicts and compared it to the complexity of decision-making in the United Nations.
"Is it better to be in an international organization where Russia has the right to veto and causes wars that it never wants to stop by using the right to veto? Or to be in an international organization where Russia does not have the right to veto and where we can trust the determined leadership, which is the American leadership, when it comes to establishing peace in the world," Osmani said.
In addition to Kosovo, the ceremony in Davos, Switzerland was attended by leaders from Bahrain, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan. All of these countries have agreed to join the Peace Board.
This new body was initially focused on implementing the agreement to end the Israel-Gaza war, as approved last November by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. However, the Board's Charter does not limit its role to Gaza.
The initiator and head of the Peace Board, Donald Trump, said after the signing that he would agree to cooperate with the United Nations.
"We will work with many others, including the UN," US President Donald Trump said during the ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, likely referring to concerns that the Board would aim to replace the UN, an institution that Trump has often criticized.
"I have always said that the United Nations has extraordinary potential. It has not used it, but it has extraordinary potential."
Russia has also agreed to be on the Board
The board will be led by Trump, while he will also have an Executive Board whose members include: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire Mark Rowan, American businessman Ajay Banga and US National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel. Meanwhile, Bulgarian politician Nickolay Mladenov will be the representative of the Gaza Peace Board.
The White House has sent invitations to more than 50 countries. The members are invited to serve a three-year term. After the end of this term, they will decide whether they want to become permanent members, and for such status they must pay $ 1 billion.
In addition to the countries that participated in the ceremony in Davos, Albania, Israel, Egypt, Belarus and Vietnam have also agreed to become part of the Board.
Trump has said that Russia has also agreed to be part of it, but it has been opposed by Ukraine.
The signing ceremony of the "Peace Board" by President Donald Trump was held without the presence of any of its traditional allies in Europe.
Abdixhiku and Haradinaj support Kosovo's inclusion in the Peace Board
The leader of the LDK, Lumir Abdixhiku, has said that they support Kosovo's inclusion in the Peace Board, which is led by US President Donald Trump.
"In an increasingly fragile world, every joint step with the US is a step that strengthens our national security, deepens our strategic alliances, and places Kosovo where it belongs; on the side of peace and fair alliances," Abdixhiku wrote on Facebook.
AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj has praised the participation of Kosovo and Albania in the Peace Board as a window of hope.
"Kosovo's return as a reliable and serious partner of the United States is vital not only for guaranteeing national security, but also for advancing our state interests, including Euro-Atlantic integration, economic development, and strengthening the country's international position," Haradinaj wrote.
What is said in the Charter of the Peace Board (document)
Kosovo is among the 19 countries that signed on Thursday to participate in the Peace Board initiated by US President Donald Trump, at a ceremony in Davos, Switzerland.
The Peace Board is a new international body initiated by Trump, which aims to oversee the implementation of peace plans in conflict zones, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip.
Under Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, the Peace Board is described as a “new international transitional body” that will help oversee the reconstruction of the Palestinian enclave. The board is expected to be composed of world leaders, with President Trump at the helm. The United Nations Security Council formally endorsed the creation of the Peace Board through a US-drafted resolution in November, giving the mechanism international weight and legitimacy.
But what does this document, also signed by President Vjosa Osmani, say?
KOHA has obtained the document. The preamble emphasizes that the document serves as a results-oriented roadmap to ensure peace in countries where it has long proven unattainable.
The document contains 13 articles. The first article talks about the mission, goals and functions.
This article states that the Peace Board is "an international organization that aims to promote stability, restore credible and legitimate governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected by or threatened by conflict."
“The Peace Board shall undertake peacebuilding functions in accordance with international law and as may be adopted in accordance with this Charter, including the development and dissemination of best practices that can be implemented by all nations and communities seeking peace,” this article states.
Chapter Two deals with membership. It states that membership is limited to States invited to participate by the President and begins with a declaration that the State has accepted to be bound by this Charter, in accordance with Chapter XI. Each State shall be represented by its Head of State or Prime Minister. Each Member State shall support and assist the operations of the Peace Board in accordance with its respective domestic authorities. Nothing in this Charter shall be construed as giving the Board jurisdiction over Member States or requiring them to participate in specific peacebuilding missions without their consent.
Each Member State may serve for a term of not more than three years from the entry into force of this Charter, renewable by the President. The three-year term of membership shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than US$1 billion in cash funds to the Peace Board within the first year of entry into force.
Regarding the termination of membership, it is stated that it ends at the earliest, either by the expiration of the three-year mandate or by withdrawal, which is a decision by the president subject to a veto by a two-thirds majority of the member states, or by the dissolution of the Peace Board. A state whose mandate ends ceases to be a party to the Charter, but such a state may be readmitted to be a member again.
Any state is emphasized that it may withdraw by immediate decision, by providing written notice to the president.
Chapter three deals with governance. It states that the Board is composed of member states and that this board votes on proposals on the agenda, including those on annual budget issues, the establishment of subsidiary entities, the appointment of senior officials, and major policy decisions, whether for the adoption of international agreements or the pursuit of new peacebuilding initiatives.
The Peace Board shall convene voting meetings at least once a year and at such additional times or places as the Chairman may deem appropriate. The agenda shall be determined by the Executive Board, subject to notice and comments from member states and approval by the Chairman. Each member state shall have one vote. Decisions shall be taken by a majority of the votes of the states present and voting, subject to approval by the Chairman, who may also cast a casting vote in his capacity as Chairman in the event of a tie.
The Peace Board shall meet regularly without the right to vote in the Executive Board. At such meetings, member states may submit recommendations and guidelines for activities, and the Executive Board shall report to the Peace Board on the operations and decisions of the Executive Board. Such meetings shall be convened at least once every three months at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Director of the Executive Board. Member states may elect to be represented by an alternate high-ranking official at all meetings, subject to the approval of the Chairperson. The Chairperson may extend invitations to relevant regional economic integration organizations to participate in the work of the Peace Board, on such terms and conditions as he or she deems appropriate.
The Chairmanship Clause clearly states that Donald J. Trump will serve as the inaugural Chairman of the Peace Board and will serve separately as the inaugural Representative of the United States of America. It states that he has the exclusive right to create, modify, or disband subsidiary entities as necessary and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the Peace Board.
The President shall at all times designate a successor to the role of President. Replacement may only occur upon voluntary resignation or as a result of incapacity, as determined by unanimous vote of the Executive Board, at which time the Vice President shall immediately assume the position of President and all of the duties and authorities of the President.
The Chairman has the right to establish subcommittees and assign the mandate, structure, and governing rules to each.
The Executive Board shall consist of the President and shall include world leaders. The members of the Executive Board shall serve for a term of two years, subject to dismissal by the President and renewable at his discretion. The Executive Board shall have an Executive Director, appointed by the President and confirmed by a majority vote of the Executive Board. This Director shall convene meetings of the Executive Board every two weeks for the first three months after its establishment and monthly thereafter. He shall convene more frequent meetings as necessary. Decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of the members present and voting, including the Executive Director. Decisions shall be effective immediately, except when vetoed by the President at any time. This Executive Board shall establish its own rules of procedure.
The Executive Board reports to the Peace Board on its activities and decisions every quarter. It is tasked with exercising its powers to implement the mission of the Peace Board.
The organization is funded on a voluntary basis. The Peace Board shall authorize the opening of accounts as necessary to carry out its mission. The Executive Board shall authorize the establishment of control and oversight mechanisms regarding budgets, financial accounts, and expenditures.
The Charter also includes a chapter on the settlement of disputes between member states. This is stated to be resolved through friendly cooperation, in accordance with the organizational authorities designated by the Charter. The President is the final authority regarding the meaning, interpretation and application of the Charter.
Amendments to the Charter may be proposed by the Executive Board or by at least one-third of the member states of the Peace Board acting jointly. Amendments shall be circulated to all members 30 days before the vote. They must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Peace Board and confirmed by the Chairman. Some amendments require unanimous approval.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Peace Board, is authorized to adopt resolutions and other directives to implement the mission of the Peace Board.
The Peace Board may be dissolved when the chairman deems it necessary or appropriate, or at the end of each odd-numbered calendar year, unless renewed by the chairman no later than November 21 of that odd-numbered calendar year.
The Charter shall enter into force upon the expression of consent to be bound by three States. States which are required to ratify or approve it through their internal procedures agree to apply provisionally the terms of this Charter, unless the States have notified the President of the Peace Board that they are unable to do so at the time of signature. Such States not applying provisionally may participate as non-voting members in the proceedings of the Peace Board, pending ratification, acceptance or approval of the Charter in accordance with their internal legal requirements, subject to approval by the President.
The original text of the Charter and amendments shall be deposited with the United States, which shall be designated as the depositary of the Charter. A certified copy of the original text shall be delivered to all signatories.
The official language is English.
The Peace Board and subsidiary entities may establish headquarters and field offices.
The Peace Board will also have an official seal that is approved by the president.
Osmani: Kosovo's inclusion in the Peace Board will be sent for ratification to the Assembly
The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has said that she will send Kosovo's inclusion in the establishment of the Peace Board for ratification to the Kosovo Assembly, in accordance with the country's constitution.
President Osmani stated that membership in international peace organizations led by the United States of America is in Kosovo's highest interest.
"Membership in international peace organizations led by our strategic ally strengthens our sovereignty, our international position, and is in the highest interest of the Republic of Kosovo. Therefore, this historic agreement will be sent to the Assembly of Kosovo for ratification, in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo, to receive the final approval of the people's representatives," Osmani said in a Facebook post.