Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary is set to travel to Washington in two weeks for what will be the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.” Originally intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, this board now appears to have broader ambitions and a potentially rivaling role compared to the United Nations.
One of Europe’s staunchest U.S. allies, Orbán was among the first leaders to attend the Board of Peace’s launch in Davos last month. “We will meet again in Washington in two weeks for the Board of Peace’s inaugural meeting,” he declared during a campaign event in Szombathely, western Hungary.
Permanent members must contribute $1 billion each to join the board, leading some critics to fear it could become akin to the UN Security Council, where contributions are required. While last November’s U.N. resolution approved the “Board of Peace” with a Gaza-focused mandate from the Trump administration’s 20-point plan, its scope has since grown significantly.
CBS News reported that more than 50 countries were invited to join as of January 21st. However, not all have confirmed their attendance for the upcoming meeting. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will serve as the board’s head, expects participation to grow in the future and has yet to clarify criteria for inclusion.
Orbán, currently the EU’s longest-serving national leader, faces an unprecedented electoral challenge ahead of his April 12 general election. Independent polls suggest Orbán’s opposition, led by ex-government insider Peter Magyar, is currently ahead due to sluggish economic conditions, mounting public dissatisfaction with services, and growing discontent among citizens.
The Board of Peace’s potential rise in influence could complicate Hungary’s political landscape as it enters a critical electoral period.