Argentine President Milei to Attend Inaugural Trump 'Board of Peace' Summit in Washington

Milei's Washington Visit for Peace Summit

Argentine President Javier Milei is set to travel to the United States this week to attend the inaugural summit of former U.S. President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'. The high-profile gathering is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C., where Milei will also hold a meeting with Trump.

President Milei is expected to depart Buenos Aires on Wednesday and arrive in the U.S. capital early Thursday, returning to Argentina later the same day. This marks Milei's 14th trip to the United States as president.

The 'Board of Peace' Initiative

The 'Board of Peace' (BoP) is an international organization launched by Donald Trump with the stated purpose of promoting peacekeeping and addressing major international conflicts, particularly the ongoing situation in Gaza. The initiative was formally established on the sidelines of the 56th World Economic Forum in January 2026. Argentina stands as a founding member of the Board.

The inaugural summit is anticipated to unveil pledges exceeding US$5 billion for the reconstruction and humanitarian assistance of Gaza. Trump has also indicated that member states have committed thousands of personnel for a UN-authorized stabilization force and local police in Gaza. The Board of Peace is named in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, passed on November 17, 2025, as a body tasked with overseeing the Gaza peace plan.

International Participation and Context

The summit in Washington, D.C., will convene at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace and is expected to host leaders from over 25 countries. Confirmed attendees include representatives from nations such as Israel (represented by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar), Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, and Hungary. However, several traditional U.S. allies, including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, are notably absent, with some European nations having declined invitations.

While the Board of Peace aims to address global crises, critics have raised concerns that it could potentially evolve into a rival to the United Nations. Permanent membership in the Board reportedly requires a US$1 billion contribution, a fee that Argentina has stated it does not intend to pay.

Milei's Broader U.S. Engagements

President Milei's current trip is part of a broader series of engagements in the United States. He had initially planned to attend a gala at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence but prioritized the Board of Peace summit. His upcoming schedule includes a return to the U.S. in March for a Trump-convened summit with allied Latin American presidents in Miami on March 7, which will focus on China's influence in the Americas. Following this, Milei is also slated to participate in 'Argentina Week' in Manhattan from March 9 to 11, an event aimed at attracting investment. Concurrently, Milei's administration is actively working to advance a trade deal with the United States.