White House Invites Cambodia to Join New International Peace Body

PHNOM PENH, Jan 22, 2026 (KPT) – The White House has formally invited Cambodia to join a new international body aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, part of a broader push by Washington to enlist Asian partners in global peace efforts.

In a letter dated January 16, US President Donald Trump wrote to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, outlining plans for the “Board of Peace,” a transitional organisation designed to oversee stabilisation and reconstruction in Gaza.

The initiative stems from a 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, unveiled by Washington in September 2025 and later endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2803 in November.

The plan combines security guarantees, humanitarian access, reconstruction funding and transitional administration.

Cambodia has been asked to join as a founding member and to sign and ratify the organisation’s charter. Washington cited Cambodia’s past contributions to UN peacekeeping missions and its reputation for supporting multilateral diplomacy as reasons for the invitation.

Regional diplomatic sources said Cambodia is not the only Southeast Asian nation approached. Thailand and Singapore have also confirmed receiving invitations, underscoring Washington’s effort to involve ASEAN members with experience in peacekeeping and post-conflict recovery.

Analysts noted that the inclusion of ASEAN states reflects a deliberate attempt by the United States to broaden the initiative beyond traditional Middle Eastern and Western stakeholders, giving it greater legitimacy and geographic diversity.

The United States said it expects to convene participating nations soon, though it remains unclear how many countries worldwide have agreed to join, how the board will be funded, or how its authority will interact with existing institutions such as the United Nations.

The Gaza plan emerged after months of fighting, repeated ceasefire breakdowns and mounting concern over civilian casualties. Supporters argue that existing mechanisms have failed to deliver lasting peace, while critics question whether a new body can gain acceptance from all parties to the conflict.

At the centre of the US proposal is the creation of the Board of Peace, intended to function as a transitional governing authority while longer-term political arrangements are negotiated.

Each member state would appoint an authorised representative to attend meetings and contribute to decision-making.

Cambodia’s invitation highlights its growing profile in international diplomacy. The country has previously contributed troops to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and the Middle East, and officials in Phnom Penh have often emphasised their support for multilateral solutions to global crises.

For Washington, the inclusion of Cambodia and other ASEAN states signals an effort to build a coalition that extends beyond immediate regional actors, in hopes of creating a framework that can deliver lasting stability in Gaza and set a precedent for addressing future conflicts.