U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Monday presided over a historic session of the United Nations Security Council focused on children in conflict, held at the UN headquarters in New York.
The United States, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council for March, selected Mrs Trump to chair the meeting — marking the first time a First Lady has presided inside the Council’s chamber. Traditionally, the country’s UN ambassador or a senior official leads proceedings.
Her remarks followed a briefing by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who addressed the impact of ongoing airstrikes and conflicts on children.
In her address, Mrs Trump paid tribute to families who have lost loved ones in conflicts and expressed sympathy for those injured. She emphasised that the United States stands with children around the world and voiced hope for lasting peace.
Highlighting the role of technology and education, she said artificial intelligence has expanded global access to knowledge, allowing individuals — even in remote areas — to learn about diverse cultures, beliefs and histories within seconds.
“The path to peace depends on us taking responsibility to empower our children through education and technology,” she said, urging Security Council members to safeguard learning and promote access to quality education worldwide.
She stressed that nations that prioritise education protect their future, arguing that valuing knowledge fosters understanding, tolerance and moral development.
Earlier, DiCarlo told the Council that children continue to bear the brunt of violence in the Middle East. She noted that schools in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman had closed or shifted to remote learning due to ongoing military operations.
She also referenced reports from Iran indicating that dozens of children may have been killed in a strike on an elementary school in Minab, allegations currently under review by U.S. authorities.Tools