TIRANA, January 22 – President Donald Trump officially signed the founding charter of the Peace Board in Davos. He confirmed that the body would operate in coordination with the United Nations.

Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani also signed the charter alongside Trump.

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said the charter is now in effect and the Peace Board has become an official international organization.

Trump added that the board has the potential to become one of the most important bodies ever created. He will personally chair the board.

Countries contributing one billion dollars will secure permanent membership. Other participants will serve fixed terms.

Few Western allies have accepted invitations so far. Hungary is the only European Union member to have signed up.

Albania, Argentina, Belarus, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam have agreed to participate.

Russia and China were invited but have not made firm commitments.

Trump originally proposed the board to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas.

He later suggested that the board could expand to address conflicts and crises worldwide. When asked in Davos whether it could replace the United Nations, he said it could.

/a.p./