The Sovereign Order of Malta’s Observer Status to the UN will soon reach the thirty-year mark. How do you plan to commemorate both the occasion and this dedication to humanitarian assistance?
With the resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 30th August 1994, the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Observer status to the United Nations was recognized. To mark this important anniversary, the government of the Order of Malta, together with its Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, Geneva, Rome and Vienna, has organized several events meant to highlight the strong and fruitful collaboration between the United Nations and the Order of Malta.
Different initiatives will be taking place, up until November. The goal is to show the contribution that the Order can bring in international fora in the field of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief, and in the promotion of human rights and interfaith dialogue.
Among the events, I’d like to recall the photographic exhibition displayed in the Palais de Nations, in Geneva, illustrating the main characteristics and interventions of the past years: from the relief assistance programs in Ukraine to the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, and from the international summer camps for persons with disability to the daily support provided to the elderly and the homeless all over the world, to name just a few examples.
The action of the Order of Malta knows no boundaries; its mission to help the poor and sick based on the founding motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum” (to witness to the faith and serve those in need) remains strong and rooted in its daily action.
What have the Order of Malta’s greatest achievements been over the past 30 years in terms of diplomacy and humanitarian action?
The Order of Malta, a sovereign entity of international law, widely extended its diplomatic network over the last decades. The number of countries the Order maintains diplomatic relations with has increased from 42 in 1981 to the current 113. Besides the admission to the United Nations with an observer status in 1994, the Order succeeded in being accredited to the European Union, to the African Union, as well as to other international bodies and fora.
The Order of Malta plays a prominent advocacy role on themes such as the respect of the protection of the civilians and the relief operators in conflicts, and consequently the need to ensure the respect of the international humanitarian law. The Order held several events recently on this subject, including at the past edition of the Munich Security Conference in February.
Freedom of religion and the role of the faith-based organizations is another main topic in the advocacy of the Order of Malta. Several events were organized by the Order in this regard, for example in Geneva in 2015 and most recently in Rome last June. The Order of Malta is also a member or observer at various international fora operating in this field and plays an active role in the works of the United Nations, especially in New York and in Geneva.
The embassies and the multilateral missions of the Order of Malta have been very active in supporting the humanitarian projects on the ground, especially in crisis areas such as Ukraine. The Embassy has cooperated closely with the Ukrainian authorities, Malteser International – which is the Order of Malta international relief corps – and the Ukrainian relief corps, with a view to facilitating the presence and activities of the Order in war-torn areas.
The international profile of the Order has also risen constantly over the last 30 years, thanks to its participation in the proceedings and the multi-faceted activities of the United Nations. In doing so, the Order has always maintained its original mission: the service to the poorest and the care for those in need. The diplomacy of the Order of Malta is primarily humanitarian diplomacy, aimed at supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance within different contexts and situations around the world.
How do you see the Order of Malta’s role in the current unstable geopolitical environment?
The Order of Malta intends to carry out its historical humanitarian mission whatever the international environment. Its status as a sovereign entity of international law allows the Order to potentially act as a mediator in conflicts and to carry out humanitarian activities, irrespective of the nationality or the political or religious creed of the people assisted. In an international context as complex, tense, and fragmented as the current one, the mission and the role of the Order of Malta is even more crucial for contributing to peace efforts or for providing relief aid to the people affected by conflicts or other calamities. The relief operators of the Order of Malta, supported by its diplomatic network, operate courageously and with admirable commitment and competence in very complex and challenging environments, from Ukraine to the Middle East, from the Sahel to the Great Lakes and other areas.
The role of the Order of Malta is unique, as it does not serve any political purpose but provides instead its services of humanitarian diplomacy and assistance to all those in need. In essence, the Order of Malta is an asset for the international community and its potential is still to be explored.
For those that are unfamiliar with the Sovereign Order of Malta and its role on the global platform, how would you best describe it?
The Sovereign Order of Malta is a unique entity that combines religious, humanitarian, and diplomatic functions. Established as a lay religious order of the Catholic Church in 1113, it is also a recognized sovereign entity with diplomatic relations with 113 countries and the European Union, and it holds permanent observer status at the United Nations. The Order operates in 120 countries, providing medical, social, and humanitarian aid, especially in crisis situations like armed conflicts and natural disasters. Its sovereignty and diplomatic network enhance its ability to deliver aid, integrate into local healthcare systems, and ensure the safety of its humanitarian personnel. The Order remains neutral, impartial, and non-political, enabling it to mediate in disputes and represent its humanitarian views on the international stage.
The Sovereign Order of Malta is especially involved in helping people living in the midst of armed conflicts and natural disasters by providing medical assistance, caring for refugees, and distributing medicines and basic equipment for survival. The scale of the humanitarian interventions in Ukraine since February 2022 is equal to the Second World War aid relief interventions.
The diplomatic activities of the Sovereign Order of Malta are closely linked to its humanitarian mission: the presence of accredited diplomatic missions in more than 100 countries of the world supports the activities of the Order. Through its ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, the Order’s views on issues at the core of its commitment – human rights, healthcare, food security – are represented on the international stage. The Sovereign Order of Malta contributes with its expertise to global consultations and to the definition of possible fields of cooperation in healthcare, social assistance, and emergency relief.
The government of the Sovereign Order of Malta has a similar structure to state governments. However, it also includes specific features associated with its nature as a lay religious order. The head of the Order of Malta is the Grand Master, who governs both as sovereign and as religious superior, and is assisted by the Sovereign Council: the Grand Commander (the religious superior of the Order’s religious members), the Grand Chancellor (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Interior), the Grand Hospitaller (Minister for Humanitarian Affairs & International Cooperation) and the Receiver of the Common Treasure (Minister of Finance).
The Order of Malta operates through its Embassies, Grand Priories, Associations, Relief and Volunteer corps. Its 13,500 members, 100,000 permanent volunteers and qualified staff of 52,000 professionals – most of whom are medical personnel and paramedics – form an efficient network that includes everything from emergency relief for refugees and the displaced living through war and conflict, to intervention in areas hit by natural disasters, hospital work, medical care and social services.