Melania Trump to chair UN Security Council

US First Lady Melania Trump will chair a meeting of the UN Security Council on 2 March during the United States’ monthly rotating presidency, the White House has announced.

According to her office, it will be the first time the 15-member Security Council has been presided over by a sitting First Lady of the United States.

Mrs Trump intends to highlight the importance of education as a means of promoting tolerance and international peace. Her appearance comes as President Donald Trump has for years criticised the United Nations, describing it as ineffective and calling for reform since his first term in office.

Last week, however, the president struck a more conciliatory tone at the inaugural meeting of his Peace Council. He said the initiative was designed to help resolve global conflicts, although several world leaders have expressed concern that it could sideline the UN. Mr Trump later stated that the Peace Council would oversee the organisation’s functioning, reinforce it and contribute to its financial stability.

(reuters, max)