United States first lady Melania Trump is set to chair a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Monday, the White House announced, marking the first time a spouse of a serving world leader has done so.
“First lady Melania Trump is set to make history at the United Nations, taking the gavel as the United States assumes the Security Council Presidency to emphasise education’s role in advancing tolerance and world peace,” the White House said.
The US assumes a monthly rotating UN Security Council presidency in March, with each of its 15 members serving for one calendar month.
The rotation is based on the English alphabetical order of their country names, with the United Kingdom holding the presidency in February. Bahrain will hold office in April and China in May.
Monday’s session, titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict”, will also be the first time any US first lady has presided over the council. This is a departure from usual practice, as a nation’s ambassador or high-level official typically presides over the council.
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, is expected to attend the March 2 meeting, along with members of the United Nations Security Council and international stakeholders.
“Fitting that the first lady, a passionate and tireless advocate for children, will preside over the first day of America’s presidency of the Security Council,” Waltz wrote on X.
“I’m both a green beret and diplomat – and I have seen first-hand that peace prevails when children are taught and not terrorised.”
US President Donald Trump has been critical of the United Nations during his two terms in office, calling it ineffective and in need of reform. The US also owes billions in arrears to the UN budget.
“Not only is the UN not solving the problems it should, but too often it’s also creating new problems for us to solve,” said Trump in the General Assembly hall in New York in September.
Since his return to office, Trump has also launched the US-led ‘Board of Peace’ with the stated aim of resolving global conflicts. It’s an initiative that some world leaders fear was designed to overtake the UN.
“The Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly,” Trump said last week.
“We’re going to strengthen up the United Nations. We’re going to make sure its facilities are good ... We’re going to help them money-wise.”
At a regular briefing on Thursday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric was asked if the first lady’s appearance was a positive sign for US-UN relations.
“Obviously, it’s a sign of the importance that the United States feels towards the Security Council and the subject at hand,” he said.
The US first lady has advocated for children’s causes during her husband’s presidencies. Her office has highlighted efforts to help reunite children with their families who were separated due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
