New Zealand rejects invitation to join Trump's Peace Committee

(Patria) - New Zealand will not accept US President Donald Trump's invitation to join his Peace Committee, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement, Reuters reports.

Trump launched his Peace Committee last week, initially designed to solidify the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, but which he envisions playing a broader role concerning other global powers.

He invited dozens of other world leaders to join. While Middle Eastern powers, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as well as major developing countries like Indonesia, have joined the committee, global powers and traditional Western allies of the US have been more cautious.

Luxon said in an emailed statement that the decision was made not to join the Peace Committee in "its current form".

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters added in a post on social network X that a number of states, particularly from the region, have increased their contribution to the Committee's role concerning Gaza and that "New Zealand would not add significant additional value to that".

Peters added that, as a "leading founder and long-time supporter" of the United Nations, it is important that the Committee's work be complementary and consistent with the UN Charter.

"It is a new body and we need clarity regarding this, as well as other issues relating to its scope, now and in the future," Peters said.