Melania Trump will make history next week by presiding over a UN Security Council meeting, her office has announced, marking the first time a sitting US first lady has held the role.
The session, scheduled for 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Monday, will focus on education, technology, peace, and security, according to the statement released Wednesday. The US assumes the Security Council presidency for the period.
“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,” her office said.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, confirmed that this is the first occasion a first lady—or first gentleman—has presided over a Security Council meeting, noting that spouses of heads of state have previously participated only on behalf of non-members of the Council.
President Donald Trump highlighted Melania’s role during his State of the Union address, saying, “No one cares more about protecting America’s youth than our wonderful first lady.”
The visit coincides with the president’s “Board of Peace” initiative, which critics argue could bypass traditional UN Security Council procedures. Since returning to office, Trump has scaled back support for several UN agencies, including the World Health Organization, though the United States recently contributed $160 million to the UN’s general budget, with outstanding payments totaling roughly $4 billion across general and peacekeeping budgets.
