This came amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have raised concerns about child safety.
The First Lady began the session by striking a ceremonial gavel, emphasising education as a means of achieving tolerance and peace. “The US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours,” she was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.”Enduring peace will be achieved when knowledge and understanding are fully valued within all our societies. Societies ruled by knowledge and wisdom are therefore more peaceful,” Melania added.
The plan for her to chair the meeting was announced late last week, before the launch of the US and Israeli strikes.
She also expressed her condolences to the families of fallen US service members, though she made no explicit reference to any specific military engagement.
“Their bravery and dedication will always be remembered. I extend my earnest wishes for a swift and smooth recovery to all those who have been injured. You are in my thoughts and prayers during these challenging times,” she added, as reported by BBC.
Her comments came just days after the United States and Israel launched huge assaults on Iran, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials.
Meanwhile, Iran has blamed Israel and the US for Saturday’s strike on a girls’ primary school in Minab, which killed 165 schoolgirls, according to UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani.
Iravani called it “deeply shameful and hypocritical” for the United States to have a meeting on protecting children in armed conflict, while at the same time launching missile strikes against Iranian cities and bombing schools and killing children,” reported Reuters.
UNICEF issued a statement on Saturday and described the escalation as “a dangerous moment for millions of children,” echoing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that “the United States will not deliberately target a school.”
Israel’s UN ambassador stated there were conflicting reports about the Minab incident, but that Israel regretted any civilian casualties.
Ambassadors from all over the council, including China and Russia, welcomed Melania Trump despite tensions. “I wish you all strength and resolve to succeed in preserving peace and security throughout the world,” she said to the delegates as she concluded the two-hour meeting in remembrance of US service members who had died in the fighting.
