While the so-called "Board of Peace (BoP)" promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump continues to receive a cold shoulder from Western allies, opposition within the Australian government is also growing. Australian news outlets reported on Sunday (Feb. 1) that resistance within the Australian government to joining the "Board of Peace (BoP)" is intensifying. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is weighing how to politely decline the invitation without angering Trump.
Aimed at Further Weakening the UN's Role
Sources familiar with Albanese's thinking revealed that Australia is increasingly concerned about the committee's structure and its relationship with existing international institutions such as the United Nations. Although Australia has not yet issued an official response to Trump's invitation, the stance of senior officials suggests the government is increasingly likely to decline.
The so-called "Peace Committee" was originally intended to oversee the transitional governance of Gaza but was later expanded to address conflicts worldwide. Notably, the draft charter sent with the invitation did not even mention Gaza. Skepticism toward the committee is mounting internationally, with key U.S. allies having already rejected it.
In the weeks following Trump's invitation, Albanese repeatedly emphasized that his focus remains on domestic affairs and reaffirmed Australia's firm support for the United Nations. Recent comments from former Australian foreign ministers also highlight the government's hesitation. For instance, Gareth Evans and Alexander Downer both stated that Australia should not participate in the committee in its current form. Evans criticized the committee as "aimed at further weakening the UN's standing" and argued that Australia should avoid involvement altogether. Downer expressed similar concerns, warning that Trump's control over the committee could turn it into a personal political tool. He suggested Australia might consider cooperating only on Gaza reconstruction issues and should otherwise hold off on participation.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has formally declined Trump's invitation, reflecting widespread caution among Western nations regarding the committee's practical effectiveness. Countries such as France, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Sweden, and Slovenia have also refused to join, while the United Kingdom has expressed strong reservations about its structure.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
Related News:
OMG | Jimmy Fallon translates Trump – Real words or made-up language?
Comment