The Order of Malta hosted several events at the Munich Security Conference, including the organization of a high-level side event dedicated to food security and the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Principality of Andorra.

On Friday, 13 February, the Grand Chancellor met with Abdullah bin Khaled bin Saud AlKabir AlSaud, Director General for the Planning Office of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who expressed his appreciation for the Order of Malta’s humanitarian activities, with particular reference to crisis situations in Africa and the Middle East. Possibilities for collaboration in some common scenarios were discussed.

This was followed by a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, an opportunity for mutual understanding and possible cooperation.

On 14 February, there was an exchange of views with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Turk, on the main humanitarian crisis scenarios, with particular reference to Gaza. There was shared concern about the serious repercussions on living conditions of civilian communities and the need to focus on the needs of the most vulnerable sectors, laying the foundations for genuine stabilization and reconstruction in a peaceful context.

In his meeting with the Secretary-General of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Kao Kim Hourn, the Grand Chancellor described the lines of the Order of Malta’s active presence in the region, and in particular in the ASEAN member countries – Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and Timor Leste – with which the Order already maintains diplomatic relations. The Grand Chancellor expressed the Order’s desire to initiate diplomatic relations with other member countries and to establish a direct relationship with ASEAN itself. Secretary-General Hourn expressed great appreciation for the Order’s activities in the region and its intention to interrelate with ASEAN and all its member States. Further contacts will be pursued to this end.