NEW YORK — First Lady Melania Trump is set to chair a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, marking the first time a U.S. first lady—or first gentleman—has presided over the council.
Her office said the event, scheduled before the United States launched military operations against Iran, will highlight education as a tool for tolerance and world peace. The United States holds the council’s rotating presidency for March.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed the historic role for the former model and diplomat, who previously worked on efforts to recover Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Observers note the timing comes amid tensions between Washington and the UN. Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has reduced U.S. support for agencies such as the World Health Organization, while launching a separate “Board of Peace” initiative aimed at rebuilding Gaza.
Analysts say council members are likely to maintain decorum during Melania Trump’s appearance, despite ongoing friction over the UN’s finances and U.S. policy positions. The UN recently received a $160 million U.S. payment, though the organization still faces more than $4 billion in budget and peacekeeping shortfalls.
The Security Council meeting comes as Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the Middle East following the U.S.-Israeli operation that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
