On October 29th, 2024, Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill visited the Permanent Mission of Kuwait to the United Nations to meet with H.E. Tareq M. A. M. AlBanai, the Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the UN.
Ambassador Tareq M. A. M. AlBanai has been serving as Kuwait’s Permanent Representative since August 2nd, 2022. Ambassador AlBanai is rich with extensive experience in disarmament and political affairs, and has held key positions at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the UN and served in diplomatic postings in Madrid and Tehran. Ambassador AlBanai is a graduate of The George Washington University, holding a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and psychology.
Situated at the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is a nation that harmoniously blends rapid modernization with the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. With a population approaching five million in 2024, Kuwait maintains strong communal bonds rooted in its history as a small trading port. The country is known for its significant contributions to regional diplomacy and its commitment to humanitarian efforts.
During their meeting, Ambassador Beresford-Hill provided an overview of the Sovereign Order of Malta’s long-standing history and humanitarian mission. He highlighted the Order’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, including recent aid efforts in Gaza and the Order’s long involvement in the West Bank through the outreach funded by the Holy Family maternity hospital in Bethlehem. Ambassador AlBanai expressed keen interest in learning more about the Order’s operations and its ability to deliver aid effectively in complex environments. The discussion also touched upon the potential for establishing formal diplomatic relations between Kuwait and the Sovereign Order of Malta, emphasizing shared values in humanitarian assistance and hopes to strengthen ties within the Middle East region.
Concluding the meeting on a positive note, both ambassadors agreed on the importance of continued dialogue and exploration of collaborative opportunities. Ambassador AlBanai expressed optimism about future cooperation that could enhance humanitarian efforts with the Sovereign Order of Malta.
