“Societies ruled by knowledge and wisdom are therefore more peaceful.”
Before the meeting, Iran’s ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said “it is deeply shameful and hypocritical that on the very first day of its presidency of the Security Council, the United States convened a high-level meeting on protecting children”.
Moments later the first lady said “the US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours” – without referring directly to the attacks across the Middle East.
She was warmly received by the countries represented in the council, however, with Greece’s ambassador Aglaia Balta saying, “thank you madam president”, while France’s envoy compared her to the celebrated former first lady and activist Eleanor Roosevelt.
Even Russia joined the chorus of polite praise, avoiding any mention of Iran, which was mentioned only by council member and Washington’s staunch ally Bahrain.
“I wish you all strength and resolve to succeed in preserving peace and security throughout the world,” Trump said as she closed the two-hour meeting.
Financial, political tensions
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed that Trump’s appearance was the first time a first lady – or first gentleman – had presided over a Security Council meeting.
The US holds the council’s rotating presidency for March.
US President Donald Trump’s third wife has dabbled in diplomacy before, notably to try to secure the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, paid tribute to her “for her work to give visibility to the issue of children in conflict, and particularly for her personal engagement to reunite Ukrainian children with their families”.
Political and financial tensions have mounted between the US and the United Nations in recent years, with Washington chafing at its role as the main contributor to the body’s cash-strapped budget.
Many observers say the US President intends to bypass the Security Council with his new “Board of Peace” which held its inaugural session in Washington last month, with several countries pledging funds and personnel to rebuild Gaza.
At the meeting, the US President repeated his stance that the UN had failed in its mission.
Since returning to the White House last year, he has withdrawn support from several major UN agencies, including the World Health Organisation.
The world body has recently launched a reform programme, and a few days ago Washington paid US$160 million ($269m) into the organisation’s regular budget – after paying nothing in 2025.
But the US is still US$4 billion in arrears to the UN for its regular budget and its peacekeeping budget, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of imminent financial collapse.
-Agence France-Presse
