On the 10 of July 2025, Ambassador Beresford-Hill, Permanent Observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations, met today with H.E. Sophie De Smedt, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Belgium, at the Belgian Mission to the UN.

Ambassador De Smedt, a seasoned diplomat with postings in Rome, Seoul, Beijing, and Istanbul, exchanged views with Ambassador Beresford-Hill on shared humanitarian priorities. Their discussion highlighted the strong ties between Belgium and the Sovereign Order of Malta, grounded in a 2012 Cooperation Agreement that continues to facilitate joint efforts in global crisis regions.

The Ambassadors reviewed ongoing collaboration in Ukraine, Palestine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and discussed recent developments in Syria, where the Order continues to deliver essential medical and psychosocial aid in Idlib Province. They also reflected on the Grand Master’s address to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome earlier today.

Belgium’s national association of the Order was praised for its robust domestic outreach—serving the homeless, hosting inclusive camps, and supporting Ukrainian refugees—while also mobilizing international aid through Malte Belgique International.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepening cooperation and continuing dialogue on global humanitarian challenges.