Overview
- At the New York meeting, Melania Trump urged protection of children in conflict and promoted education and artificial intelligence as tools for learning and peace.
- Iranian state media reported that an airstrike hit a girls’ school in southern Iran with over 150 deaths, which Israel denied knowledge of as the U.S. said it was investigating.
- UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo highlighted the toll on children and noted school shutdowns and remote learning in several Middle Eastern countries due to ongoing hostilities.
- The session was set in advance as part of the U.S. March presidency of the Council, and UN officials confirmed it marked the first time a first lady or first gentleman presided.
- Coverage underscored tension between the first lady’s message and recent U.S. cuts to UNICEF, UNESCO, and the UN office focused on children and armed conflict.