Speaking during the United Nations General Assembly’s special commemorative session marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Dr. Michael Espiritu, Counsellor at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations, delivered a solemn and historically grounded intervention reflecting on the enduring legacy of humanitarian service during conflict.
In a gathering characterized by reflection and resolve, Member States from every region paid tribute to the tens of millions of lives lost and reiterated the foundational principles of the UN Charter—peace, sovereignty, and the dignity of all people. Among the day’s most poignant contributions was that of Dr. Espiritu, who drew upon the Order of Malta’s extensive record of humanitarian action during the Second World War to issue a renewed call to compassion, neutrality, and the defense of human dignity in times of war.
“We gather today not only to commemorate a painful chapter in the history of humankind,” Dr. Espiritu stated, “but to reaffirm that even amidst destruction and despair, compassion and courage endured.”
He detailed how, during the war, the Order established dozens of field hospitals and operated hospital trains that transported over 23,000 wounded soldiers to safety. Following the 1943 armistice, the Order adapted quickly to new humanitarian needs—founding more than thirty aid centres throughout Italy, which not only delivered essential care but also provided a refuge from forced deportation.
Dr. Espiritu also recounted how in early 1947, the Order assumed responsibility for military aircraft slated for destruction and transformed them into humanitarian transports, with the express condition that they be used solely for relief missions. “This transformation of machines of war into vessels of mercy,” he said, “epitomizes the humanitarian vocation that continues to define our mission today.”
Drawing a direct line between the horrors of the Second World War and the current state of global affairs, Dr. Espiritu underscored the Order’s ongoing humanitarian response to contemporary conflicts, including in Ukraine. There, the Order of Malta continues to provide emergency medical assistance, psychosocial care, and spiritual support to communities torn apart by violence and displacement.
“The memory of the past is not merely a call to remembrance but a call to action,” he concluded. “To serve, to defend, and to heal. Let the compassion that once followed catastrophe illuminate the path before us.”
Dr. Espiritu’s intervention closed a historic session that served both as a commemoration and a caution. As global conflicts intensify and historical narratives are increasingly politicized, his remarks stood as a testament to the enduring relevance of humanitarian neutrality, historical truth, and moral courage in the pursuit of peace.
