New Zealand on Friday declined US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his “Board of Peace,” securing a place among a small list of nations that have rebuffed the initiative, according to AFP.
“New Zealand will not be joining the Board in its current form but will continue to monitor developments,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
Despite the fact that many states have expressed misgivings, just a small group of nations such as France, Norway, and Croatia have explicitly declined to join the initiative.
“A number of states, particularly from the region, have stepped up to contribute to the Board’s role on Gaza, and New Zealand would not add significant further value to that,” Peters added.
Peters has reached the decision in coordination with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour.
Commitment to United Nations
“We see a role for the Board of Peace in Gaza, to be carried out as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2803,” he said.
While New Zealand did not dismiss the concept of the board entirely, officials emphasized the country’s continued commitment to the United Nations.
“As a leading founder and longstanding supporter of the United Nations, it is important that the Board’s work is complementary to and consistent with the UN Charter,” Peters added.
Last week, Trump unveiled his “Board of Peace” initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where leaders and officials from 19 countries joined him on stage to sign the founding charter.
“It is a new body, and we need clarity on this, and on other questions relating to its scope, now and in the future.” Peters said.
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