US First Lady Melania Trump became the first wife of a world leader to chair a UN Security Council meeting in New York, world news agencies reported.
The meeting was dedicated to children, technology and education in conflict, the White House announced.
The US took over the rotating presidency of the most important UN body in March, which includes leading the meetings. The 15-member body's meetings are usually chaired by UN ambassadors or government representatives, DPA notes.
In her opening remarks, Melania Trump expressed condolences to "the families who have lost their heroes and who have sacrificed their lives for freedom."
"The United States stands with all children around the world. I hope peace will soon be yours," she said.
The first lady stressed that education is essential to preventing conflict.
"Lasting peace will be achieved when knowledge and understanding are fully valued in all societies." The importance a nation's leaders place on education forms the foundation of their country's value system," Melania Trump said.
“A nation that makes learning sacred, that guards its books, its language, its science and its mathematics - it guards its future. That leads to something powerful - to greater understanding, moral reasoning and tolerance of others. Peace“, Melania Trump said, quoted by DPA.
She called on members of the UN Security Council to protect learning and promote access to education for all.
“I urge you to build a future generation of leaders who embrace peace through education“, said the US first lady.
Melania Trump did not mention the US-Israeli offensive that began on Saturday (February 28) against Iran, DPA notes.
Her appearance took place against the backdrop of tense relations between the administration of US President Donald Trump and the United Nations. According to UN data, the US owes the organization billions of dollars, DPA reminds.
The American president has repeatedly criticized the United Nations as “ineffective“, has withdrawn the US from several UN institutions and international agreements and has recently presented his own initiatives, such as the “Peace Council“, which critics see as an attempt at an alternative to the UN.