{"id":2636,"date":"2024-09-17T13:39:16","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T18:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/?post_type=news&#038;p=2636"},"modified":"2024-09-17T13:42:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T18:42:00","slug":"strengthening-ties-with-the-african-diplomatic-corps-order-of-maltas-2nd-conference","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news\/strengthening-ties-with-the-african-diplomatic-corps-order-of-maltas-2nd-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening Ties with the African Diplomatic Corps: Order of Malta\u2019s 2nd Conference"},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-2636","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","news_categories-news"],"acf":{"hidden_news":"no","evidence":"yes","focus_on":"no","breaking":"yes","news_cover":{"id":2637,"url":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/09\/afco1.png"},"news_content":"<p>From September 10<sup>th <\/sup>-11<sup>th<\/sup>, Ambassador Beresford-Hill attended the Sovereign Order of Malta\u2019s Second Conference for the African Diplomatic Corps, held at the Magistral Villa in Rome, the Order\u2019s seat of government.<\/p>\n<p>The conference provided a valuable platform to strengthen the Order of Malta\u2019s bilateral relations with African countries. While the Order currently maintains diplomatic ties with 38 of the 54 African Union member states, this event also welcomed ambassadors from countries which do not yet enjoy formal diplomatic relations with the Order. This inclusive approach facilitated numerous bilateral meetings and engagements, expanding the Order\u2019s diplomatic outreach across the African continent.<\/p>\n<p>During the conference, Grand Chancellor Riccardo Patern\u00f2 di Montecupo addressed the attendees about the Order\u2019s unique approach to diplomacy. He explained, \u201cFor the Order of Malta, whose neutrality is one of its founding principles, diplomatic and humanitarian activities are closely interwoven since both aim to promote peace and well-being.\u201d He further emphasized the crucial role that the Sovereign Order of Malta\u2019s diplomats play in ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches crisis areas while offering political protection to aid workers.\u00a0 At the invitation of the head of the French Association, Mr. Cedric Chalret du Rieu, Ambassador Beresford-Hill was invited to make a brief statement about the role of the Order of Malta\u2019s UN Mission to the UN and its relationship to both the General Assembly and the Security Council.\u00a0 He provided an overview of the exact status which the Order occupies as the only Permanent Observer entity which maintains diplomatic relations with 113 countries, over 60% of the UN Membership.<\/p>\n<p>The conference also highlighted the Order of Malta\u2019s steadfast commitment to humanitarian and relief operations. Indeed, in 35 countries across the continent, Malteser International, the Order\u2019s international relief agency, and Ordre de Malte France provide a range of services for both basic and emergency healthcare. This includes hospitals, medical centers, dispensaries, psychosocial support, malaria, and tuberculosis.\u00a0 These initiatives are in addition to special programs, many of them sponsored by the Order\u2019s Ambassadors, or by local groups, such as the Brotherhood of Blessed Gerard, near Durban, South Africa, which provides support for those suffering from AIDS and related complications,\u00a0 and the varied range of community support programs offered in parts of Namibia through the visionary activities of Ambassador Giacomo Berutto.<\/p>\n<p>The conference concluded with the presence of around 40 ambassadors and diplomats from various African states, underscoring the Order of Malta\u2019s commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and addressing humanitarian needs across Africa. This gathering not only reinforced the Order\u2019s dedication to its mission but also highlighted the importance of collaboration in supporting health and development initiatives throughout the continent.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_gallery_elements":[{"id":2637,"url":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/09\/afco1.png"},{"id":2641,"url":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/09\/afco22.png"},{"id":2639,"url":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/09\/afco3.png"}]},"news_categories":[{"id":21,"name":"News","slug":"news","description":"","link":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news-categories\/news\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/2636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/2636\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}