Melania Trump chairs UN Security Council meeting on children

First Lady Melania Trump on Monday presided over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council focused on the impact of conflict on children and education, as tensions escalated in the Middle East following ongoing military action involving Iran. Addressing delegates at UN headquarters in New York, Trump highlighted the importance of education in “advancing […]

First Lady Melania Trump on Monday presided over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council focused on the impact of conflict on children and education, as tensions escalated in the Middle East following ongoing military action involving Iran.

Addressing delegates at UN headquarters in New York, Trump highlighted the importance of education in “advancing tolerance and world peace,” stressing the need to protect children caught in zones of conflict.

The session marked the first time the spouse of a world leader has chaired a Security Council meeting. Trump presided on behalf of the United States, which assumed the council’s rotating presidency this month.

During her remarks, the first lady also expressed condolences to the families of US service members killed in recent operations, without referencing any specific military action.

“Their bravery and dedication will always be remembered,” she said. “I extend my earnest wishes for a swift and smooth recovery to all those who have been injured. You are in my thoughts and prayers during these challenging times.”

Trump, who has made children’s welfare a key focus of her public role, added: “The US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours.”

The plan for Trump to chair the meeting had been announced late last month.

Speaking at the session, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said children are often the most severely affected when conflicts erupt.

“We have been reminded of this truth over the last two days,” she said, noting that schools in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman had closed or shifted to remote learning because of the regional security situation. DiCarlo also referred to reports from Iran of an elementary school being hit during recent strikes.

Iranian authorities say an airstrike struck an elementary school in the town of Minab on Saturday, killing 153 people, and have blamed the United States and Israel.

Ahead of the meeting, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, criticised Washington’s role, saying it was “deeply shameful and hypocritical” for the US to convene a high-level meeting on protecting children on the first day of its Security Council presidency.

The United States Central Command said it was investigating reports of the incident, while Israel’s military stated it was not aware of any operations by its forces in the area.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday “the United States will not deliberately target a school.”