Azerbaijan has been invited as a founding member to the Peace Council established at the initiative of US President Donald Trump. According to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, official Baku has accepted this invitation.
Within the framework of the project, approximately 60 country leaders from around the world have received invitations to participate. Some of them, like Azerbaijan, will be among the founding members of the Council. Among the invited countries are Russia, Belarus, Hungary, Italy, Brazil, India, and Turkey. US President Donald Trump will chair the Council.
The main objective of the Peace Council is to attract international financial resources for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. In this direction, the establishment of an executive committee and an executive board within the Council is planned. It is reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former Prime Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair, and US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will also be part of these structures. At the same time, the Palestinian National Management Committee, which is granted the authority to manage the Gaza Strip, will also operate under the general supervision of the Council.
After the information was disseminated, claims emerged on social networks and some media resources that Azerbaijan would pay 1 billion dollars to become a member of the Peace Council. However, this claim does not reflect reality.
According to research conducted by Modern.az, the 1 billion dollar payment is not intended for all countries that are members of the Council.
This amount has been determined only for countries wishing to obtain permanent membership status in the Council and to maintain their participation for longer than three years. That is, the membership model is tiered, and countries undertake various obligations according to their duration of participation.
However, for members in the three-year participation format, there is no requirement for such a high financial payment. These countries can participate in the Council's activities, play a role in the formation of decisions, and contribute to humanitarian processes. Furthermore, it is reported that lower financial contribution mechanisms are also envisaged for some countries.
Thus, “Azerbaijan will pay 1 billion dollars” claims stem from a misinterpretation of the general rule. Azerbaijan's joining the Council as a founding member does not automatically create such a financial obligation.
Azerbaijan's invitation to the Peace Council is regarded as an indicator of the country's growing role in international humanitarian initiatives and reconstruction processes during post-conflict periods. The reputation established in this field in recent years contributes to Azerbaijan's recognition as a reliable partner on global platforms.
Sevinc Maharramova
