HISTORY is opening a new page to be dominated by private businesses with more power than a number of UN member states. What will be the place of human rights?
By Willy Fautré
Trump made headlines in Davos this week when he announced the creation of HIS Board of Peace with an entrance fee set at $1 billion. No less than 25 UN member states publicly joined on the first day. This move challenges the UN’s perceived inability to resolve conflicts, suggesting Trump’s desire to be “the new UN, the UN in action.”
This initiative seems part of his campaign for the next Nobel Prize, but it foreshadows a future filled with significant challenges.
Recently, Trump attempted to acquire Greenland, a democracy, either by purchase or force, highlighting a troubling trend.
More than half of UN member states have an annual GDP lower than the financial power of top billionaires and businesses, leaving them vulnerable.
Trump’s actions regarding Greenland signal to billionaires and businesses that there are no limits to impunity under his administration, suggesting many methods of keeping countries dependent.
Democracy, rule of law, and human rights rarely feature in Trump’s speeches.
Trump mute about human rights in Davos
Human rights were absent from Trump’s Davos agenda. There was no vision to expand or strengthen global human rights. Analysts noted a focus on national security and economic nationalism, contrasting traditional human-rights leadership. Calls for reaffirmation of global cooperation followed Trump’s remarks but were largely symbolic.
His remarks focused on geopolitical and economic issues like territorial claims and alliances, critiquing European policy.
Trump and the United Nations
At Davos 2026, Trump didn’t focus on the UN Security Council or specific UN policies, nor did he propose a broad UN reform agenda.
Key remarks about the UN involved his Board of Peace, intended to work “alongside” the UN. Initially supported by over 25 member states, it competes with equivalent UN agencies.
Trump, known for opposing multilateralism, is expected to prioritize his agenda, using the UN when convenient. His initiative is only rhetorically positioned as complementary to existing structures.
No vision for strengthening or reforming the UN can be expected from Trump, as it doesn’t align with his interests.
Trump’s Board of Peace, the UN of “non-democracies”?
Members of Trump’s Board of Peace, intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, can secure a permanent seat for $1 billion.
Without contributing funds, membership terms last three years, according to a US official.
By January 22, leaders from 25 countries signed the founding charter at Davos, including Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Many of these countries are not champions of democracy, rule of law, or human rights.
Thirty more countries were invited, but as of the Davos Summit, they hadn’t joined. Others, like France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK, quickly refused.
Many UN member states hadn’t decided before the Davos Summit.
About 120 countries and territories are potential preys of billionaires
Wealth of top 15 billionaires: From ~$342 billion to ~$101 billion
Top billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and others, primarily American, possess vast wealth compared to many nations.
Wealth of top 10 richest private companies: From ~$500 billion to ~$50 billion
The wealthiest global private businesses include Open AI, Tether, Space X, and others.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 121 countries under ~$50 billion
121 countries have a GDP under ~$50 billion, vulnerable to billionaires and private businesses.
76 countries and territories have a GDP close to ~$1 billion (Taiwan) to about $52 billion (Macao).
21 countries have a GDP from $30 trillion (USA) to $1 trillion (Switzerland).
Conclusion
The global business community has a leader who implicitly allows disruption of the international order. The future of human rights looks bleak, and Europe faces a significant challenge.
Europe and its 400 million citizens must meet this challenge not in words, but through determined political action.
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