Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Bulgarian Diplomat Nikolay Mladenov to Head Gaza’s Board of Peace
Nikolay Mladenov is a Bulgarian diplomat who has been chosen to lead a new board that will help bring peace to the Gaza Strip.
He has a lot of experience in Middle Eastern politics and has worked to reduce tensions between Israel and Hamas.
Before this job, he was a U.N. envoy to the Middle East and Iraq, and he also served as Bulgaria's defense and foreign minister.
He is known for his balanced approach to the conflicts in the region.
The board he will lead is part of a ceasefire agreement and will oversee important steps like disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza.
Mladenov has been recognized for his peace efforts and currently lives in the UAE.
Nikolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat, has been appointed as the director-general for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza.
He has extensive experience in Middle Eastern politics, having served as the U.N. envoy to the Middle East and Iraq, and as Bulgaria's defense and foreign minister.
Mladenov is known for his balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, earning the trust of both Israel and the Palestinians.
The Board of Peace is tasked with overseeing a new technocratic Palestinian government, the disarmament of Hamas, and the deployment of an international security force.
He received the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem in 2021 for his peace efforts in the Middle East.
- Who
- Nikolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat and former U.N. envoy to the Middle East
- What
- Appointment as director-general for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza
- When
- Appointment announced and confirmed on Thursday
- Where
- Gaza Strip
- Why
- To oversee a new technocratic Palestinian government, disarmament of Hamas, deployment of an international security force, and reconstruction
- Name
- Nikolay Mladenov
- Nationality
- Bulgarian
- Previous Roles
- U.N. envoy to the Middle East, Bulgarian defense and foreign minister, U.N. envoy to Iraq
- Current Role
- Director-General for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza
- Age
- 53
- Key Achievement
- Received the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem in 2021
- Current Location
- UAE
