On 26 September, the Order of Malta and the Republic of Vanuatu signed a Declaration of Intent in New York preparatory to opening diplomatic relations.

The Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Giampaolo Cantini, signed for the Order of Malta, while the Permanent Observer in New York, Odo Tevi, signed for Vanuatu. The ceremony was attended by the Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.
After the recent declaration signed with Saint Kitts and Nevis, that with Vanuatu marks a further significant step towards extending the number of countries with which the Order enjoys diplomatic relations (currently 115).

In his meetings in New York during the opening week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Grand Chancellor also paid special attention to the problems of small island states, meeting the authorities of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Marshall Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
All interlocutors expressed great interest in intensifying cooperation with the Order of Malta.

The meeting with the Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations, following the Order of Malta’s traditional commitment in Africa, was of a similar tenor.