Melania Trump to Chair UN Security Council Meeting as U.S. Assumes Presidency

First Lady Melania Trump will chair a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday as the United States assumes the council’s rotating monthly presidency, according to the White House. The session, titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict,” will focus on how education and digital access can promote tolerance and long-term global peace.

In a statement released Wednesday, the first lady’s office said Melania Trump plans to highlight the role of education in conflict zones, emphasizing its importance in protecting children and fostering stability. A U.N. spokesperson confirmed this marks the first time a spouse of a sitting world leader has presided over the 15-member Security Council, a body responsible for maintaining international peace and security and issuing legally binding resolutions.

Her appearance comes amid ongoing scrutiny of U.S.-U.N. relations. President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the United Nations, describing the 193-member organization as inefficient and in need of reform. The United States, historically the largest contributor to the U.N. budget, currently faces billions of dollars in unpaid contributions. The U.N. recently confirmed it received approximately $160 million toward more than $4 billion in outstanding U.S. dues, a figure that has increased significantly during Trump’s presidency.

When asked whether Melania Trump’s participation signaled improving ties, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said it demonstrated the importance the United States places on the Security Council and the meeting’s agenda.

Although the first lady has largely maintained a low public profile, she has previously advocated for children’s issues. In 2025, she wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the war.

President Trump recently adopted a more conciliatory tone, stating his newly formed “Board of Peace” initiative aims to strengthen the United Nations while addressing global conflicts.