Azerbaijan Backs Board of Peace Goals; Opts Out of $7 Billion Gaza Fund
Azerbaijan announced that it may consider participating in future investment projects but will not take part in the USD 7 billion financial initiative unveiled at the inaugural meeting of the US-led Board of Peace for the reconstruction of Gaza, despite related remarks by Donald Trump.
According to statements made at the meeting, attended by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, additional funds are expected mainly from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait.
Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, said Baku remains committed to the overall goals of the Board as a founding member state but does not envisage joining the USD 7 billion funding package.
“In the future, Azerbaijan may consider participating in investment projects in Gaza through the Board of Peace. However, I would like to clarify one point. Azerbaijan doesn’t envisage to participate in the USD 7 billion financial initiative related to Gaza that was announced during today’s meeting of the Board of Peace,” Hajiyev wrote on X.
The inaugural session of the Trump-led Board of Peace included a USD 10 billion assistance, which would require congressional approval, alongside an additional USD 7 billion in promised contributions for relief and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. The pledged funds are set to be transferred to a special account managed by the World Bank.
In his remarks, Trump said the United Nations had committed to mobilizing a further USD 2 billion for humanitarian assistance. He also noted that Japan would convene an Asian donors conference to raise additional support and that FIFA would contribute USD 75 million for soccer-related projects in the enclave.
The United Nations has estimated that approximately USD 70 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza following the devastation of recent hostilities. The plan envisions beginning rebuilding efforts in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, an area that remains under Israeli military control.
The Board of Peace is a newly established international platform initiated by the United States to promote conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and global stability.
Launched in January 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, the Board aims to complement existing international mechanisms by bringing together countries from different regions to engage in dialogue and cooperation on major security challenges, including ongoing conflicts such as the situation in Gaza.
Azerbaijan joined the 26-member Board of Peace as a founding member following an official invitation from the United States. President Aliyev signed the Board of Peace Charter during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, marking Azerbaijan’s formal acceptance into the organization.
“I believe that the Board of Peace will be an effective international organization and successfully deliver on its mission,” President Aliyev wrote in a gratitude letter to President Trump.