Document
WCC reaction
When church leaders gathered in Stockholm in 1925 for the Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work, they recognized the need for international cooperation to address the many challenges confronting the churches, their societies and the world. In their meeting, they modelled a commitment to multilateralism that they and subsequent generations of ecumenical leaders also sought to promote among the nations, in the formation of the United Nations and in the development of international law and mutual commitments to collective action for peace, justice, human rights, sustainable development and the protection of God’s precious and unique creation.
Yesterday in Davos, a new organization was launched – the ‘Board of Peace’. While we appreciate the initiatives taken to address prevailing conflicts and wars in the world, we need to be mindful of the concerns this new body raises. It is apparent that the `Board of Peace’ represents a radical departure from the world order that generations of ecumenical leaders and countless people of goodwill have envisioned, prayed for, and worked to achieve.
The Charter under which the ‘Board of Peace’ is established refers to the United Nations Charter and to international law for a semblance of legitimacy. However, in its design and political framing it clearly serves to undermine the authority and centrality of the UN Charter system and especially the Security Council.
The ‘Board of Peace’ traces its origin to the 20‑point Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction plan that was endorsed by the UN Security Council, which “welcomes the formation of a Board of Peace” as part of the transitional governance and reconstruction arrangements for Gaza. However, the new organization’s Charter makes no mention of Gaza. The Board is evidently conceived as a parallel peace and security body with a broad global remit, justified by the claim that existing institutions and approaches “have too often failed” and that a “more nimble and effective international peace-building body” is needed.
The WCC is concerned that this body may serve as a potential bypass or rival to the Security Council, allowing coalitions of states to claim multilateral legitimacy for actions outside – or instead of – Council authorization, which would erode the Council’s primary responsibility for international peace and security under Chapter V of the UN Charter.
Moreover, the concept and configuration of this new body is predicated upon one individual to whom almost all authority is arrogated. Membership and decision‑making are concentrated around a single life‑tenured Chair (Donald Trump) with sweeping and largely unconstrained powers. Permanent seats in the Board of Peace are effectively sold for 1 billion USD, calling into question the real purpose of this structure.
It is difficult to reconcile the Board of Peace’s Charter with the UN Charter’s emphasis on sovereign equality and collective decision‑making.
It is true that the UN has been and remains at best an imperfect instrument for the purposes envisioned by the WCC and by all those who have invested so much hope in it. It is certainly true that, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney admitted in his earlier remarks in Davos, “the story of the international rules-based order was partially false”, that “the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient”, and that “international law applied with varying rigour depending on the identity of the accused or the victim”. The UN as it currently stands is certainly not adequately fulfilling the purposes for which it was founded, less still for the challenges of today.
An answer to this dilemma may be found, not in the ‘Board of Peace’, but in the UN Charter’s Article 109 – which provides for the calling of a General Conference of UN members for the purpose of revision and amendment of the Charter. Originally intended to take place no longer than 10 years after the Charter’s original adoption, a General Conference under Article 109 has never been convened. It is long overdue.
The WCC remains committed to the principles and purposes for which the United Nations is founded. We strongly believe that multilateral cooperation is an absolute necessity in face of the converging global crises confronting our world. We call for renewed international commitment to the vision expressed in the United Nations Charter, and for reforms that strengthen the UN and correct its faults, rather than weaken it.
The WCC welcomes and supports peace initiatives that uphold Christian values. As Matthew 5:9 says: “ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches