Скачать или смотреть Melania Trump Chairs UN Security Council: Speech on Children in Conflict as War Looms with Iran

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By Stefano Vaccara

NEW YORK — For the first time in the history of the United Nations, a First Lady presided over a meeting of the Security Council. Melania Trump opened Monday’s debate devoted to children in armed conflict and the impact of new technologies, including the role of artificial intelligence in education.

Yet the scene inside the UN’s glass headquarters carried a distinctly surreal tone.

As the First Lady took her seat at the Council’s presidency — a role held this month by the United States — the news arriving from the Persian Gulf dominated conversations in the corridors of the United Nations. The military escalation triggered by the strikes launched Saturday by the United States and Israel against Iran continued to produce casualties and regional tension. Among the most disturbing reports was that of a school struck during the attacks, killing numerous children.

Against this heavy backdrop, Melania Trump opened the session with remarks centered on education and the responsibility of leaders to protect the world’s youngest.

“Enduring peace will be achieved when knowledge and understanding are fully valued in all societies,” the First Lady said, stressing that “the value placed on education by nations’ leaders shapes the core of their countries’ belief systems.”

Melania emphasized the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in expanding access to knowledge worldwide. “Today almost anyone, anywhere can access a vast universe of data in the palm of their hand,” she said. “Let’s connect everyone to knowledge through AI, including those in the most remote geographic regions of our world.”

Education and access to knowledge, she argued, can become tools for peace. “The path to peace depends on us taking responsibility to empower our children through education and technology.”

Behind her in the Council chamber sat U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. But diplomats’ attention remained inevitably fixed on the unfolding military crisis.

Just before the First Lady spoke, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo addressed the Council, offering a far more direct assessment of the global situation.

“The world is witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the Second World War,” DiCarlo said, adding that the number of civilians killed in these conflicts has reached its highest level in decades.

When wars erupt, she noted, children are among those who suffer most. “Globally, one in every five children is living in or fleeing a conflict zone,” she said.

The UN official also referred to reports emerging from Iran that “possibly dozens” of girls were killed when an elementary school in the city of Minab was struck during the recent attacks.

Over the past two days, she added, schools in several countries across the region — including Israel, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman — have closed and shifted to remote learning because of ongoing military operations.

Melania Trump did not directly mention the strikes against Iran or the rapidly escalating regional crisis. In a broader reference, she expressed “earnest condolences to the families who have lost their heroes” and wished a “swift recovery” to those injured.

“You are in my thoughts and prayers during these challenging times,” she said.

Her words were delivered in a chamber wrapped in an almost stunned silence, while outside the UN headquarters the world watched with growing concern as the Middle East crisis continued to unfold.