President, Director General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
It is with great honour and profound respect that I convey, on behalf of the Sovereign Order of Malta, our most sincere congratulations on your esteemed election to the presidency of the 68th session of the General Conference. Our delegation holds firm confidence that, under your distinguished leadership, the Conference shall accomplish its duties with great success. You may rest assured that our delegation stands ready to extend its full support and cooperation to you and this honourable assembly.
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi for his exemplary achievements and the highly professional leadership he has so ably demonstrated. The Sovereign Order of Malta assures him of our unwavering support and cooperation as he continues to guide us with his extensive expertise.
Since 1994, when the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta was granted Observer Status within the United Nations, we have maintained a Permanent Observer Mission dedicated to the cultivation of diplomatic relations with this esteemed international body. This year, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of this privilege – a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to the principles and objectives of the United Nations. Our Permanent Observer Mission, akin to all the diplomatic endeavours of the Order of Malta, is devoted to advancing and upholding the humanitarian goals that are the very foundation of our Order.
The Order’s neutral, impartial, and non-political stance enables it to intervene in humanitarian crises with timely and effective action. Our members play a vital role in ensuring that the Sovereign Order of Malta can successfully deliver aid and deploy personnel, often in the most challenging and inhospitable environments, assisting and acting as a mediator in the global arena.
We express our profound appreciation for the Agency’s efforts in advancing safety and security, particularly in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We welcome the Director General’s steadfast commitment to addressing pressing global challenges, notably in the realms of health and the climate crisis, through the application of nuclear technology.
The Order of Malta commends the significant achievements of the Technical Cooperation Programme, especially in the fields of agriculture, food security, and medicine. We urge the Agency to continue its vital work in these areas, with a particular emphasis on human health. In light of the “Rays of Hope, Cancer Care for All” initiative, we welcome the Agency’s efforts to assist nations in enhancing their capabilities to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer more effectively.
The Sovereign Order of Malta fully supports this initiative and intends to contribute to its success through financial support, helping the poor and underprivileged people in the world who need most support and help. Furthermore, the Order is actively collaborating with other Member States and the IAEA on a project to provide radiotherapy training in Africa.
The Order of Malta, mainly through “Malteser International”, Order de Malta France and other entities, carries out hospitaller and charitable missions across the globe. We share many of the Agency’s goals, particularly in the fields of human sciences and healthcare. Our contributions include financial support for early cancer diagnosis and the facilitation of hospital training in the Western Balkan region.
In conclusion, the Sovereign Order of Malta wishes to express its deepest appreciation for the crucial and significant technical role the Agency plays, under the distinguished leadership of Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, in fostering global peace, security, and the promotion of well-being for all.
