Brazilian President Lula urges US President Trump to limit the Peace Board Gaza initiative to Gaza and include Palestinian representation in talks

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday requested that US President Donald Trump limit the scope of the Peace Board Gaza initiative strictly to the Gaza conflict, according to a statement from the Brazilian presidency following a lengthy phone call.

Also read: Trump files bitter $5bn lawsuit against JPMorgan over account closure

The 50-minute conversation saw the two leaders agree to arrange a meeting in Washington after Lula’s scheduled trips to India and South Korea in February.

The Brazilian president, who was invited to join Trump’s controversial global conflict resolution body, proposed that it “be limited to the issue of Gaza and include a seat for Palestine”.

Lula also called for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including expanding the permanent membership of the Security Council — a push reflecting his long-running support for stronger multilateral institutions.

Last Friday, the veteran leader accused Trump of seeking to create “a new UN where only he is the owner”, with his proposed Peace Board Gaza plan, a critique that has drawn concern among traditional allies about the organisation’s wider ambitions.

The Peace Board Gaza initiative was originally intended to oversee the war-torn region’s rebuilding, but its charter does not explicitly limit its mandate to Palestinian territory, prompting scepticism from countries including France and Britain.

In addition to Gaza, Lula and Trump discussed regional matters including the ongoing Venezuelan situation, with Lula stressing the need for “peace and stability in the region”.

Also read: Trump threatens lawsuit over New York times poll

The Brazilian presidency said the Washington visit will be confirmed soon, once schedules are set, underlining a cautious but continuing diplomatic engagement between the two nations after periods of tension.