Your Most Eminent Highness,
Your Excellencies,
For several years now, in the context of this traditional audience, I have spoken on behalf of my fellow ambassadors accredited to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Today I still have this great responsibility and, as always, I feel honoured.
By its very nature this diplomatic family is constantly expanding, not only with new accreditations but also with countries that have recently established diplomatic relations with the Order.
At the risk of forgetting some, I am thinking of the ambassadors of Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Estonia, Peru, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Slovakia, Czech Republic, the European Union and Thailand. We welcome all these new members, some of whom presented their credentials just before the start of this ceremony.
The Sovereign Order of Malta combines diplomacy with humanitarian aid to reach those in need, establishing diplomatic relations with the principal nations and international organisations. These links establish and strengthen humanitarian cooperation and facilitate its action.
During 2024, the Order of Malta has done what it does best, and that is carrying out medical, social and humanitarian projects worldwide. Your teams are hard at work in hotspots such as Ukraine and Gaza. What we have most at heart is the Order’s advocacy work with global organizations, national and international institutions, heads of state and governments, to prevent or manage crises.
In an increasingly dangerous world, where war is being shamelessly evoked and speaking of peace seems a heresy, international law is being interpreted in different ways with an enduring desire to dominate and exploit while an intolerable contempt for people is part of our daily life. It seems that blocs are being constructed and the Cold War, whose death bell was rung with the fall of the Berlin Wall, is once again the centre of attention. Your institution, with its neutral, impartial and apolitical character, still has the courage to defend the fundamental principles of solidarity and humanity under the enlightened guidance of His Most Eminent Highness.
To this end, the Grand Master has met with several world leaders on official visits, including:
– His Holiness, Pope Francis, for whom he analysed the situation and presented the Order’s plan of action.
– The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future, during his speech celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Order’s permanent observer status at the international organization.
As well as meetings with:
– President of the Republic of Hungary, Tamás Sulyok
– President of the Republic of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen
– President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda
– President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar
– President of the Republic of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs
– President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj
– President of the Republic of Malta, George William Vella
– President of the Republic of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou
– Governor-General of Australia, Samantha Joy Mostyn AC
– Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
– Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, and many others.
In addition to the Grand Master’s activities, the past year has been particularly rich in events, of which only a few can be cited, for example:
– The Grand Commander’s visit to Cameroon, marked by high-level meetings with the First Lady, Madame Chantal Biya, and the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute and his travels to Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine, during which he met their highest authorities.
– The Grand Chancellor’s speech at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva.
– The Grand Chancellor’s speech at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on the theme ‘Leadership for Peace’.
– The Grand Hospitaller’s discourse at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The Order of Malta also held its 9th Conference of the Americas in Panama; its second conference on the African Diplomatic Corps in Rome; the conference on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine in wartime and the Order of Malta’s support; the international conference on “Religious Freedom and Integral Human Development”.
In congratulating you on all that you do, the Diplomatic Corps respectfully encourages you to continue to defend the universal values and ideals of peace and justice. Your vision of humanity and the world must be shared. This vision respects our differences, respects the infinite diversity of people, cultures, religions and civilizations. This vision recognizes that each of us has an equal right to dignity. The exemplary solidarity you support is, and remains, a valuable lesson that we must integrate, apply, perpetuate and pass on to future generations. We are convinced that this solidarity and a greater consideration of the expectations and interests of all would bring greater peace in today’s world.
Your Most Eminent Highness,
The year 2025, a jubilee year, promises to be full of challenges but also full of hope. The entire Diplomatic Corps wishes you, Your Highness, and the members of the Order’s Sovereign Council, as well as its collaborators, employees, volunteers and all those who contribute to support your venerable mission, a Happy New Year.
Thank you for your kind attention.
