TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has officially joined the Board of Peace for Gaza, an initiative established by US President Donald Trump. President Prabowo Subianto attended the council's launch during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Prabowo participated in the event alongside representatives from 21 other nations, as heads of state took turns signing the Peace Council charter. During the proceedings, Prabowo noted positive developments in the Gaza region and expressed Indonesia's commitment to active participation as part of its dedication to global humanity and peace.
"It is clear that the suffering of the people of Gaza has been reduced, alleviated. Humanitarian aid has been entering the enclave on a massive scale. Indonesia is ready to participate," Prabowo told the press in Davos on Thursday, January 22, 2026, according to an official statement from the Presidential Secretariat.
Below are the key facts regarding Indonesia’s membership in the Gaza Board of Peace.
Reasons for Joining
Prabowo views membership in the Board of Peace as a historic opportunity and a genuine effort to achieve peace in Gaza and Palestine. He expressed Indonesia’s hope that this new organization could foster stability on a global scale.
"Those who seek peace and assist the people of Gaza, the people of Palestine," Prabowo said following the charter signing in Davos.
Minister of the State Secretariat Sepa Aradz stated that the decision to join was intended to expedite the peace process between Palestine and Israel. "The goal is to accelerate the peace process in Gaza," Aradz remarked at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.
A Rapid Formation
Foreign Minister Sugiono detailed the process behind the formation of the Board of Peace, acknowledging that the body was established relatively quickly. Nevertheless, Prabowo decided that Indonesia would join after evaluating various strategic considerations.
Sugiono noted that the decision followed intensive consultations with members of the Group of New York. He revealed that several nations agreed to participate, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.
"Two days before the signing, all agreed to join the Board of Peace," Sugiono stated in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Complementing the United Nations
Sugiono clarified that the Board of Peace is not intended to replace the role of the United Nations (UN). Instead, he explained that the council was born from an urgent need to create stability in Gaza, focusing on conflict resolution, peace-building, and post-conflict rehabilitation.
"Therefore, Indonesia decided to join these efforts," Sugiono added, as quoted by the Presidential Secretariat.
According to the General Secretary of the Gerindra Party, Indonesia remains a nation deeply concerned with international stability, paying special attention to the Palestinian situation. He believes the Peace Council is a long-awaited concrete step in overseeing the peace process, with the presence of member nations ensuring that efforts remain focused on Palestinian independence and a two-state solution.
What is the Board of Peace?
As reported by NDTV, Trump first proposed the Board of Peace in September when announcing his plan to end the Gaza war. He later clarified that the council’s scope would expand beyond Gaza to address global conflicts.
The US President will serve as the council's inaugural chairman, with the body tasked with promoting worldwide peace and seeking conflict resolutions.
Member countries are limited to a three-year term unless they contribute $1 billion to fund the council's activities and secure permanent membership, as outlined in the charter. The White House has appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner as founding members of the Executive Council.
Nations Declining the Invitation
Norway and Sweden have rejected Trump's invitation, while Italian Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti described joining as problematic. The Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera reported that joining a group led by a single foreign leader would violate the Italian constitution.
France also intends to decline, according to sources close to President Emmanuel Macron. Trump has threatened a 200 percent tariff on French wine and champagne if they do not join his advisory council.
Canada stated it fundamentally agrees with the initiative but is still finalizing details. Other major US allies, including the UK, Germany, and Japan, have yet to take a clear public stance; a German spokesperson confirmed Chancellor Friedrich Merz would not attend the signing ceremony in Davos.
Ukraine indicated that its diplomats are currently studying the invitation, though President Volodymyr Zelensky noted the difficulty of participating in any council alongside Russia after four years of war.
Pope Leo, the first American pope and a critic of certain Trump policies, has been invited and is currently evaluating the proposal, according to the Vatican.
Ervana Trikarinaputri and Adinda Jasmine contributed to this article
Read: Iran Respects Indonesia's Decision to Join Gaza Board of Peace
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