Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill met with Ambassador James Kariuki, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, on March 28th, 2024.

Ambassador Kariuki assumed the position of UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York in August 2021. Prior to this role, he served as the Multilateral Policy Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) from 2018 to 2021, overseeing policy development concerning the UN, multilateral systems, human rights, and sanctions.  Ambassador Kariuki also spent four years as Counsellor at the British Embassy in Washington, and, from 2007 to 2012, held several Senior Civil Service positions in London, including Head of Policy Planning and Deputy Director for Europe at the FCDO, and Deputy Director at the National Economic Council Secretariat in the Cabinet Office during the financial crisis. His previous postings include assignments at the UK Mission to the UN in New York, the British Embassy in Caracas, and a secondment to the UN Weapons Inspection team in Baghdad.

Ambassador Beresford-Hill provided a detailed overview of the Order’s multifaceted functions as a global humanitarian actor, including its work within the United Nations in New York. He also elaborated on the humanitarian projects carried out by the Order in Palestine, emphasising the work of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem while also mentioning the operations of our Alliance Partner from the Venerable Order of St. John’s ophthalmic hospital in East Jerusalem. Ambassador Beresford-Hill detailed how both hospitals have been instrumental in providing care and diagnostic and screening support to orphaned children from Gaza affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Ambassador Kariuki expressed his appreciation for the mission of the Order and encouraged a continued dialogue with the UK on humanitarian matters. He acknowledged the significant role humanitarian organisations play, whether faith-based or secular. Both ambassadors expressed mutual interest in fostering dialogue and collaboration between the Order of Malta and the UK on humanitarian issues.