Helen Clark: Rejecting ‘Might is Right’ in a Fracturing World Order
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has sharply criticized the newly formed “Board of Peace” unveiled by President Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, calling it an illegitimate challenge to the international order and a departure from established multilateral frameworks.
Speaking in a newsletter released by The Elders, an international non-governmental organization founded by Nelson Mandela, Clark detailed concerns over the Board’s structure and priorities. While initially conceived by the UN Security Council to oversee the administration of Gaza, the Board, as presented by President Trump, lacks any explicit mention of the ongoing humanitarian crisis there, despite the continued killing of Palestinian civilians by occupying military forces, even after a declared ceasefire.
“This is not a proper way to run international affairs,” Clark wrote. “A Board of Peace should remain wholly and urgently focused on the continued crisis in Gaza as provided for in the Security Council’s time-limited mandate.”
The criticism extends to the Board’s membership and financial structure. According to Clark, permanent membership comes with a $1 billion price tag, and the Board includes individuals indicted by the International Criminal Court. Democracy Without Borders echoed these concerns, describing the pay-for-access model as “bizarre” and a regression toward centralized power. Helen Clark, speaking at Davos, stated this “is not a legitimate way to run international affairs.”
Clark’s assessment comes amid a broader questioning of the multilateral system, with the UN Charter entering its 81st year. She highlighted the damaging impact of vetoes by permanent Security Council members – specifically citing Russia’s actions regarding Ukraine and the United States’ actions concerning Israel-Palestine – as eroding the UN’s credibility. Reform of the Security Council, she argued, is “both necessary and overdue,” pointing to successful changes made in 1965 as a precedent.
At the Munich Security Conference last week, Clark and The Elders engaged with international decision-makers on navigating a shifting global order. She cited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s assessment of a “serious rupture” of the existing international order, emphasizing the need for collective action to reject a world governed by “raw power” and uphold international law.
The Elders have pledged to actively oppose any attempts to undermine international law with a doctrine of “might is right,” reaffirming their commitment to a rules-based international system. The organization intends to continue voicing opposition to actions that challenge established norms and principles of global cooperation.
The future of the Board of Peace remains uncertain, and its relationship to the UN Security Council, particularly regarding Gaza, remains undefined. The Elders have not indicated any planned engagement with the Board itself, focusing instead on advocating for reform within existing international institutions.