United Nations, March 3 (NationPress) - The First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, introduced the concept of “a unified digital nation-state” as she marked a historic moment by being the first partner of a sitting leader to preside over the Security Council.

“Is the emergence of a unified digital nation-state unavoidable?” she posed during her address to the Council on Monday.

“This notion may not be as far-fetched as it appears, considering that digital currencies and blockchain payment systems, along with the vast databases provided by AI, are already transforming media and financial landscapes,” she stated.

“We are currently in an era of imagination – a time when technology can be liberated from the constraints of geographical borders,” she remarked.

Upon her arrival at the Council chamber, the permanent representatives of all 15 Council members lined up to welcome her, a rare privilege that even heads of state seldom receive.

She led the Council's first open session following the US's assumption of its rotating presidency for the month on Sunday.

US Permanent Representative Mike Waltz chose not to deliver the customary briefing meant for media on the initial working day, which outlines the objectives of their presidency and the agenda for the month.

After formally starting the meeting, Trump spoke on behalf of her nation and then continued with her presidential duties.

The session was marked by a spirit of courtesy, devoid of any heated disputes or calls for order.

With the usual tensions set aside, even Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed gratitude, saying, “We appreciate you for convening this briefing on such a significant subject.”

Speaking gently, with a hint of her Slovenian accent, she stated, “True peace will be realized when knowledge and understanding are esteemed across all communities.”

“A nation that cherishes education safeguards its literature, language, science, and mathematics – it secures its future,” she emphasized. “This leads to a powerful outcome – promoting greater understanding, ethical reasoning, and tolerance for others. Peace.”

The discussion centered around “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict,” though her address did not mention Iran, where tensions escalated over the weekend with attacks from the US and Israel, nor did she refer to Gaza or Ukraine, for whose children she has been a vocal advocate.

The only indication of the ongoing conflicts came in her message to all the world’s children: “I hope peace will soon be yours.”

She repeatedly highlighted the significance of education and knowledge in fostering global peace and understanding.

“This is the moment for our generation to elevate our children beyond ideological divides through access to wisdom,” she urged.

Some differing viewpoints from the US were presented during the meeting. France’s Permanent Representative, Jerome Bonnafont, discussed his country's initiatives to safeguard children online, which have faced criticism from President Trump’s administration.

The administration has even threatened actions against France and the EU, labeling their measures as “censorship” aimed at US companies.

Emphasizing the “collective duty to protect our youth by advocating for a secure digital environment,” Bonnafont stated, “France has taken a leadership role at both national and European levels,” implementing new laws.

To shield children from online pornography, “France has chosen to limit access for individuals under 15 to social networks to provide better protection, recognizing that the digital realm knows no borders,” he explained.

However, he also commended Melania Trump for her initiatives against cyberbullying, revenge pornography, and digital misinformation.

She has been active in efforts to reunite children taken by Russia amid the Ukraine conflict with their families in Ukraine, making appeals to Russian leaders.

Nebenzia dismissed the “allegations of 20,000 Ukrainian children being abducted” as a “false and repulsive disinformation campaign against Russia.”

He asserted, “We are dedicated to reuniting minors with their families from whom they have lost contact due to the conflict.”

While former First Lady Hillary Clinton has presided over Council meetings, she did so not as the First Lady but later as Secretary of State.