Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is scheduled to travel to Washington next week to attend the first meeting of the 'Board of Peace', a peace initiative led by former US President Donald Trump. In a recent podcast interview, Rama stated that he will be present for the official establishment of this council and the commencement of its activities. Originally designed to facilitate the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip following the Israel-Hamas conflict, the board's mandate seems to extend further than just this region, indicating a broader approach to global peace initiatives.

The inaugural meeting of the 'Board of Peace' is set for February 19, 2023, where member countries will discuss their commitments and strategies moving forward. To be part of this council, member nations are required to contribute $1 billion, which has sparked criticism, suggesting that this model could create a significant barrier to involvement, similar to a 'pay-to-play' concept reminiscent of the UN Security Council. This raises concerns about equitable participation from nations with less financial resources.

The 'Board of Peace' was officially introduced by Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, with at least 19 countries having signed its founding charter. This initiative aims to foster international collaboration for peace, but the financial prerequisites may lead to skepticism about its effectiveness and inclusivity. As countries prepare for the upcoming meeting, many eyes will be on how this board plans to actually operate and impact global peace efforts in a meaningful way.