New York, 3 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) - US First Lady Melania Trump on Monday became the first spouse of a world leader to chair a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

The meeting of the most powerful UN body focused on children, technology and education in conflict situations, according to the White House.

The United States took over the rotating presidency of the most important UN body in March, which involves chairing the meetings. UN ambassadors or government representatives usually lead the meetings of the 15-member body.

Melania Trump offered her condolences to the "families who have lost their heroes, who sacrificed their lives for freedom," in her opening remarks.

"The US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon, peace will be yours," she said.

The first lady said that education was essential to preventing conflict.

"Enduring peace will be achieved when knowledge and understanding are fully valued within all societies. The value placed on education by a nation’s leaders shapes the core of their country's belief system," she said.

"A nation that makes learning sacred protects its books, its language, its science, and its mathematics - it protects its future. This leads to something powerful - to greater understanding, moral reasoning - and tolerance of others. Peace."

She urged members to safeguard learning and promote access to education for all.

"I implore you to build a future generation of leaders who embrace peace through education."

Melania Trump did not mention the US-Israeli offensive launched on Saturday against Iran.

Her appearance came against the backdrop of tense relations between US President Donald Trump's administration and the United Nations.

UN figures suggest the US owes the organization billions of dollars.

The US president has repeatedly criticized the UN as "ineffective," has withdrawn the US from several UN institutions and international agreements and most recently presented his own initiatives such as the Board of Peace - which critics see as the president's attempt to create a rival to the UN.

Photo: dpa