Board of Peace technocrats to meet in Cyprus as Gaza reconstruction remains stalled

Technocrats from the Board of Peace and related bodies will gather in Cyprus next week to push forward the long-delayed implementation of former US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, governance transition and long-term stability.

The meetings, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, come amid persistent funding shortfalls, security concerns on the ground and reduced international attention following the recent US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The Board of Peace was established to oversee implementation of the post-ceasefire phase of Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. Its creation was welcomed and authorised by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on 17 November 2025. The resolution endorses the plan, welcomes the Board as a transitional body to support Gaza’s administration and reconstruction, and authorises the deployment of a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF).

Background on the Board of Peace

The Board of Peace was formally launched in January 2026, with its charter signed in Davos. It is chaired by Donald Trump, who holds the position for life with broad authority over subsidiary bodies, agendas and decisions. A Gaza-specific High Representative, former UN mediator Nickolay Mladenov, coordinates between the Board and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a body of Palestinian technocrats intended to handle day-to-day governance during a transitional period and replace Hamas administration.

The Board of Peace’s financing has drawn sharp criticism for its lack of transparency, with the official World Bank-managed reconstruction fund remaining at zero despite billions in pledges, while reported contributions (including from the UAE and Morocco) have instead flowed into privately controlled JP Morgan accounts directly accessible to the Board, alongside U.S. transfers of over $1 billion without congressional oversight and a charter provision allowing a $1 billion donation to secure a permanent seat.

Among EU member states, only Hungary and Bulgaria have joined as full members. Cyprus, Italy and Romania participate as observers. The European Union itself has observer status; European Commission officials, including Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, attended the Board’s inaugural meeting in Washington in February 2026 specifically for discussions on Gaza reconstruction. The Commission has stressed that its participation does not constitute endorsement or membership. It has voiced concerns regarding the Board’s governance structure, the concentration of power in the chair, its potentially broad scope beyond Gaza, and compatibility with the UN Charter and multilateral principles.

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The EU continues to advocate a two-state solution and emphasises its position as one of the largest donors to Palestinian humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.

Many other EU countries declined invitations or expressed strong reservations. France, Germany, Spain and others cited risks of undermining the UN’s central role in international peace and security, as well as the Board’s governance model and mandate extending beyond the immediate Gaza context.

Cyprus meeting details

Cyprus government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed the meeting will take place on the island but stressed that Cyprus is not among the organisers. Some participants have requested side meetings with Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos.

According to reports, attendees will include representatives of the Board of Peace umbrella organisation, the Palestinian technocrats of the NCAG, and the Office of the High Representative. It remains unclear whether the full Executive Board (chaired by Trump) will participate or whether the focus will be on the Gaza Executive Board and technical-level discussions. The Gaza Executive Board includes figures such as Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Israeli-Cypriot investor Yakir Gabay.

Likely focus and challenges

Diplomatic sources indicate the Cyprus gathering was initiated by the Board of Peace. While primarily technical, political dimensions related to Gaza are unavoidable. Reconstruction efforts have seen little concrete progress since pledges worth billions were made earlier this year. Key obstacles include insufficient funding disbursements, the precarious security situation, Israel’s continued control over large parts of the Strip and entry points for aid and materials, and Hamas’s continued presence and refusal to disarm.

Participants are expected to discuss a practical roadmap linking financial commitments to disbursement mechanisms, as well as reviewing specific projects and phases under the 20-point plan. The meeting may also serve to rekindle momentum after attention shifted to the Iran conflict.

Cyprus’s proposed contributions

President Nikos Christodoulides presented six proposals addressing key elements of the plan at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in October 2025. These have since been updated to reflect ground realities and are grouped under the pillars of security, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. They include:

Expanding the Amalthea maritime humanitarian corridor
Enhancing inspection and security screening for Gaza-bound cargo
Establishing two-way sea lanes to remove debris from Gaza and import construction materials
Training Palestinian personnel at Cyprus’s CYCLOPS centre
Providing logistical support to a future international stabilisation force
Acting as a bridge between the EU and the region, and as a potential hub for investment and recovery support

Cyprus participates in the Board as an observer. Depending on attendance and the depth of discussions next week, Cypriot officials anticipate that the country’s potential supporting role in reconstruction will feature in any bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister.

As one diplomatic source noted, implementation of the Gaza plan under the Board of Peace remains “the only game in town” and carries a UN mandate. While significant challenges persist – including the establishment and acceptance of an ISF – participants view concrete forward movement as preferable to inaction amid the dire living conditions faced by Gaza’s population.

Trump’s Gaza peace plan takes shape amid deep skepticism

The article by EUalive’s partner Politis can be found here.

Caption: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (R) meets with Bulgarian diplomat and US-appointed High Representative for Gaza and Director General of the Board of Peace, Nikolay Mladenov, at the New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, Egypt, 1 April 2026. Established by Donald Trump and led by the government of the United States, the Board of Peace (BoP) is a body tasked with overseeing the processes of the Gaza peace plan. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM