From 28 to 30 July 2025, the United Nations hosted a High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The conference brought together over 40 ministers and deputy ministers of foreign affairs, alongside more than 120 Member and Observer States, making it one of the most significant diplomatic meetings on Palestine in recent years.

Throughout the three-day meeting, a clear majority of speakers condemned the escalating violence in Gaza, the expansion of settlements, and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Many called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and renewed commitment to a two-State solution based on international law and the pre-1967 borders. Notably, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malta declared their intention formally to recognize the State of Palestine during the High-Level Week of the 80ᵗʰ Session of the General Assembly in September 2025 — a coordinated diplomatic signal aimed at restoring momentum toward a negotiated peace.

Speaking on behalf of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Brien Purcell Horan, Chargé d’Affaires of the Order’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN, underscored the importance of collective dialogue to uphold international humanitarian law and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. He emphasized that beyond political deliberations, civilians across the affected territories face mounting challenges — displacement, trauma, and persistent barriers to essential aid — and urged all stakeholders to reaffirm their obligations to ensure protection, unhindered access, and dignity for those at greatest risk.

Highlighting the Order’s humanitarian engagement, he noted that Malteser International, in cooperation with the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem and the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, has delivered over 200 tons of food assistance to the population in Gaza City. He unreservedly condemned the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023, called for the release of all hostages, and reiterated the Order’s view that the 17 July 2025 attack on the Catholic parish of the Holy Family in Gaza was wholly unacceptable. Such assaults on places of worship and humanitarian hubs, he stressed, are stark reminders of the urgent need to safeguard religious minorities and humanitarian facilities.

Brien Purcell Horan called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the unimpeded, sustained delivery of humanitarian aid under clear guarantees of safety and security for both civilians and humanitarian personnel. The Order, drawing on its neutral mandate and over 900 years of continuous presence in the Holy Land, stands ready to contribute to reconstruction and development efforts across the Palestinian territories. This includes care for the growing number of orphans, assistance for displaced persons, and the restoration of essential services such as water, hygiene, education, and healthcare. He urged coordinated, well-structured responses to preserve the cultural and religious diversity of the Holy Land, echoing the words of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV: “Every human being has an intrinsic dignity bestowed by God Himself.”