Melania Trump to preside over UN Security Council meeting

"First Lady Melania Trump is set to make history at the United Nations, taking the gavel as the United States assumes the Security Council Presidency to emphasize education's role in advancing tolerance and world peace," her office said in a statement Wednesday.

The meeting at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Monday will focus on education, technology, peace and security and marks the first time a sitting US first lady presides over the Security Council, the statement added.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said Thursday that the visit represents "a sign of the importance that the United States feels towards the Security Council and the subject" of education.

"I can confirm that, according to our records, this will be the first time a First Lady, or first gentleman, for that matter, has ever presided over a Security Council meeting," he added, noting that the spouses of heads of state have previously participated on behalf of non-members of the Council.