Donald Trump has declared that the world is now a more prosperous, peaceful and secure place than it was just one year ago, as he formally launched his 'Board of Peace' initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The US president hailed the board as "one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world" and praised its leaders, including former UK prime minister Tony Blair, saying they were "very popular leaders - in some cases not so popular, but that's the way it goes in life".
However, critics have accused Trump of trying to supplant the United Nations with his new board. British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper warned that there are "huge amount of work to do" before any country can sign up and expressed concerns about Vladimir Putin being part of a peace plan without evidence of commitment from Russia.
Trump himself claimed to have stopped eight wars and said the world was now free from conflict, despite the ongoing situation in Gaza. The US president also touted his plan for rebuilding Gaza, including aid deliveries and infrastructure rehabilitation.
The board's launch comes after Trump announced last week that he would be establishing a "founding executive board" with prominent figures such as Kushner and Ajay Banga. A significant increase in aid to Gaza has been proposed, along with the reconstruction of hospitals, bakeries and other essential services.
However, the Israeli government has expressed strong opposition to some of Trump's plans, particularly the reopening of the Rafah crossing into Egypt, which was announced by Palestinian official Ali Shaath as a major breakthrough. The US president also claimed that Hamas members were "born with rifles in their hands", sparking outrage among human rights activists.
The 'Board of Peace' initiative has sparked controversy and raised questions about Trump's intentions for international relations.
The US president hailed the board as "one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world" and praised its leaders, including former UK prime minister Tony Blair, saying they were "very popular leaders - in some cases not so popular, but that's the way it goes in life".
However, critics have accused Trump of trying to supplant the United Nations with his new board. British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper warned that there are "huge amount of work to do" before any country can sign up and expressed concerns about Vladimir Putin being part of a peace plan without evidence of commitment from Russia.
Trump himself claimed to have stopped eight wars and said the world was now free from conflict, despite the ongoing situation in Gaza. The US president also touted his plan for rebuilding Gaza, including aid deliveries and infrastructure rehabilitation.
The board's launch comes after Trump announced last week that he would be establishing a "founding executive board" with prominent figures such as Kushner and Ajay Banga. A significant increase in aid to Gaza has been proposed, along with the reconstruction of hospitals, bakeries and other essential services.
However, the Israeli government has expressed strong opposition to some of Trump's plans, particularly the reopening of the Rafah crossing into Egypt, which was announced by Palestinian official Ali Shaath as a major breakthrough. The US president also claimed that Hamas members were "born with rifles in their hands", sparking outrage among human rights activists.
The 'Board of Peace' initiative has sparked controversy and raised questions about Trump's intentions for international relations.