On April 15, 2026, Judge Brien Purcell Horan, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the UN, met with Ambassador Toufik Laid Koudri, Deputy Permanent Representative of Algeria, to discuss expanding humanitarian collaboration.

The dialogue focused on the situation in the Middle East.  Ambassador Koudri spoke in particular about the challenge of re-building Gaza, and there was a discussion of the Order’s vital medical operations in the Holy Land, including its primary care clinic in Gaza and its maternity hospital in the West Bank. Ambassador Koudri commended the Order’s longstanding humanitarian mission. The representatives also discussed Pope Leo’s historic visit to Algeria, with its emphasis on interreligious dialogue.

The meeting took place in a very constructive atmosphere, with both parties identifying concrete avenues for cooperation. They reaffirmed a shared commitment to exploring closer ties and aligning efforts to address urgent humanitarian and development priorities.