Overview
- A draft charter reported by Bloomberg says countries contributing more than $1 billion in the first year would be exempt from three‑year membership terms, which otherwise renew at the chairman’s discretion.
- The White House called the $1 billion characterization misleading and said there is no minimum fee, framing permanent status as recognition of partners showing “deep commitment.”
- Under the draft, President Trump would be inaugural chairman with authority over invitations, agendas and final approval of majority votes, plus removal and succession powers, while sources say he would control funds and the finance clause remains vague.
- The organization would take effect once three states sign the charter, and invitations have gone to leaders including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with Canada’s Mark Carney reported to have accepted.
- Although the U.N. Security Council authorized the board within a Gaza framework, the charter’s language suggests a broader remit, and the plan—along with a newly named executive panel and a Palestinian technocratic team—has drawn diplomatic concern and reported coordinated pushback.