Vance thanks Board of Peace members, hails partnership for lasting peace

Vice President JD Vance expressed profound gratitude Thursday to all nations participating in President Donald Trump's newly launched Board of Peace, describing the initiative as "fundamentally about making the peace stick." Speaking at the inaugural meeting in Washington, Vance thanked international partners for "investing in the future" and "investing in peace."

Acknowledgement of Regional Leaders

In particular, Vance singled out the president of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia, whom he noted having met recently. "Thank you all for making it possible and for showing what real leadership can accomplish," Vance said. "When you set aside weapons and killing and destruction and invest in your people and invest in prosperity, it can create great things." His remarks highlighted the board's expanded mission beyond Gaza to promote peacemaking globally, with the South Caucasus rapprochement serving as an early success story.

Partnership and Gratitude

"To all of the leaders gathered here today who are investing in the future, who are investing in peace, we're grateful to you. We're grateful for your partnership," Vance told assembled representatives from more than 45 countries. The Board of Peace was established within the framework of efforts toward a peaceful settlement in the Gaza Strip but has since expanded its mandate to support conflict resolution worldwide, with Washington announcing additional states have joined the initiative since its January founding in Davos.

Fragile Ceasefire Context

Vance's expressions of gratitude come against the backdrop of a fragile US-backed ceasefire in Gaza, in place since October 10, which halted Israel's two-year onslaught that has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Despite the truce, Gaza's Health Ministry reports Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire, killing 611 Palestinians and injuring 1,630 since the agreement took effect. The board's ambitious agenda faces the dual challenge of consolidating the existing ceasefire while building broader international cooperation for lasting peace.