On 23rd July 2026, the Deputy Permanent Observer, Judge Brien Purcell Horan, addressed the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Strengthening the mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes: follow-up to Security Council resolution 2788 (2025)” under the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security.” The Open Debate was convened at the request of the Permanent Missions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Pakistan, and the meeting was presided over by H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Judge Horan expressed concern at the growing trends of confrontation, military escalation and cooperation by division around the globe. These have harmful consequences, causing protracted conflicts that lead to increasing humanitarian needs and sustained civilian suffering.
He highlighted the work of The Order of Malta for over nine centuries in upholding the welfare and dignity of the people we serve around the world who are impacted by conflict, displacement, poverty and disaster. At present, our work extends to Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon, where our staff face extremely difficult circumstances whilst carrying out their mission to support the vulnerable. We remain committed to this work and call upon the Members States of the UN to renew their commitments to the peaceful settlements of disputes to spare countless individuals from suffering, displacement and loss.
Judge Horan ended by remembering the words of His Holiness, Pope Leo IV, who reminded us that ‘those who tire of dialogue tire of hoping for peace’. The cost of prevention is invariably far lower than the cost of conflict. May we work together to that end.
