On March 2, Melania Trump will make history as the first U.S. First Lady to preside over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. This event coincides with the beginning of the United States’ monthly presidency of the Council.
The meeting, titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict,” will focus on education as a means to foster tolerance and promote global peace. This marks a significant moment, as it is the first time a sitting First Lady will lead discussions on education, technology, and security issues within the Council, which consists of 15 member states.
The White House stated, “Mrs. Trump’s leadership will mark the first instance of a sitting First Lady of the United States chairing a Security Council meeting that will address education, technology, peace, and security issues.”
This initiative comes at a time when President Donald Trump has openly criticized the UN, labeling it as “ineffective” and calling for substantial reforms. His administration has withdrawn the U.S. from several UN-related agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), both of which are pivotal in addressing global challenges.
Furthermore, the Trump administration has reduced funding to UN agencies that assist Palestinian refugees, describing these operations as “hopelessly flawed.” In early February, President Trump claimed he could resolve the UN’s financial crisis, which has been exacerbated by unpaid dues and budget constraints, if approached for assistance.
In January, the White House announced that President Trump had signed a directive to halt funding and participation in 66 international organizations, including 31 that are part of the United Nations.
Background context reveals that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the organization is on the brink of an “inevitable financial collapse,” with the potential to exhaust its budget by July. The primary cause of this critical situation is the U.S. refusal to pay mandatory membership dues, alongside significant outstanding debts owed by the country to the organization.
Melania Trump is set to chair a UN Security Council meeting, marking a historical first for a First Lady. This event occurs amid ongoing critiques of the UN by the Trump administration, which has reduced funding and participation in various UN agencies.
Source: The Guardian