U.S. first lady Melania Trump, on Monday, presided over a historic Security Council session on Children in conflict at the UN headquarters in  New York.

The U.S., which holds the rotating presidency for March, decided to have Mrs Trump chair the meeting.

Usually, the UN ambassador or senior official of the country holding the presidency takes the gavel.

Mrs Trump’s statement followed a briefing by the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs on the ongoing airstrikes.

Mrs Trump paid tribute to families who have lost their heroes in conflicts.

The U.S., which holds the rotating presidency for March, decided to have Mrs Trump chair the meeting. While there have been instances of first ladies participating in Security Council meetings, it was the first time a first lady presided.

Speaking of technology and education, Mrs Trump said that AI had opened the door to knowledge.

According to her, the value placed on education by nations’ leaders shapes the core of their countries’ belief systems.

This, she affirmed, leads to greater understanding, moral reasoning, and tolerance of others.

Earlier, Rosemary DiCarlo, addressing a Security Council meeting on children, technology and education in conflict – organised by the United States as a signature event of its March presidency, said children were once again bearing the brunt of violence in the Middle East.

She noted that schools in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have closed or shifted to remote learning amid ongoing military operations.

Reports from Iran indicate that dozens of children may have been killed in a strike on an elementary school in Minab, allegations now under review by U.S. authorities.

(NAN)