Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Photo: akorda.kz.
U.S. President Donald Trump has invited his Kazakh counterpart, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to join a “Peace Council” to oversee governance in the Gaza Strip, with Kazakhstan proposed as one of the organization’s founding states. The information was confirmed to Tengrinews.kz by Tokayev’s press secretary, Ruslan Zheldibay.
Tokayev has accepted the invitation.
“It would have been inappropriate to conceal the fact that such an official appeal was received from President Donald Trump following a series of statements by world leaders,” Zheldibay said. “Yes, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was among the first global leaders to receive an official invitation to join the Peace Council, and Kazakhstan to become one of its founding members. In response, the head of state sent a letter to the U.S. president expressing sincere gratitude and confirming his consent to join this new body. The president reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to make a constructive contribution to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, strengthening interstate trust, and promoting global stability.”
Trump announced the creation of the Peace Council on January 16, 2026. The body forms part of his peace plan for Gaza, alongside the deployment of international forces. On the same day, the establishment of the council’s first executive committee was announced. Its members include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff; the U.S. president’s son-in-law and investor Jared Kushner; former British prime minister Tony Blair; World Bank President Ajay Banga; and U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported—after reviewing a draft of the council’s charter—that Trump is set to serve as chairman and will have sole authority to invite new members. While decisions are to be made by a majority vote, final approval will rest with the chair.
The draft charter also states that council membership will be limited to a maximum of three years. Countries seeking permanent membership would be required to contribute at least $1 billion. The council is described as “an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore credible and lawful governance, and ensure lasting peace in regions affected by or at risk of conflict.” The body will become an official organization once its charter is approved by at least three member states.
