Veteran Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed as the Director-General of the Board of Peace, a high-level body established by President Donald Trump to oversee the transition and reconstruction of Gaza. The appointment, announced on January 8, 2026, marks a pivotal step in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
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Mladenov is known globally as an expert in Middle Eastern de-escalation. His selection is seen as a strategic move to leverage his deep-rooted relationships with both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
- UN Tenure (2015–2020): As the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, he was the primary mediator between Israel and Hamas, often credited with pulling the region back from the brink of war through “shuttle diplomacy.”
- Broad Recognition: He is one of the few international figures to hold both the respect of the Israeli security establishment and high honors from the Palestinian Authority, having received the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem.
- Diplomatic Background: Beyond his UN work, he has served as Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, and recently led the UAE’s premier diplomatic academy.
The Mandate: Gaza’s Transition
As the executive lead of the Board of Peace, Mladenov will manage the day-to-day operations of Gaza’s post-war recovery. The board’s priorities include:
- Technocratic Governance: Replacing the current vacuum with an apolitical Palestinian administration.
- Security Coordination: Supervising the disarmament of militant groups and the integration of international peacekeepers.
- Infrastructure Reconstruction: Directing billions in international aid to rebuild housing, hospitals, and utilities.
- IDF Withdrawal: Overseeing the phased exit of Israeli forces as security milestones are met.
