New Zealand has officially declined participation in Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza due to concerns regarding its current setup and objectives. The Foreign Minister emphasized New Zealand’s acknowledgment of the United States’ leadership in collaboration with regional partners to promote peace in Gaza. He mentioned that while New Zealand recognizes the potential role of the Board of Peace as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2803, other regional states have already committed to supporting its activities. Therefore, New Zealand believes its involvement would not significantly enhance the board’s efforts at this point.
The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that the Board’s work aligns with the principles of the United Nations Charter, given New Zealand’s founding role and continuous support for the UN. He highlighted the need for clarity on the board’s mandate and scope, both presently and in the future.
Although New Zealand will not be part of the Board in its current configuration, the country will maintain close observation of the developments.