From August 10th to 14th, 2025, Ambassador Michel Veuthey was invited to participate in the G20 Interfaith Forum in Cape Town, South Africa.
The forum aims to foster practical solutions to challenges such as social polarization, economic
and social inequality, and human trafficking. The forum seeks to leverage religious beliefs and the efforts of faith-inspired individuals to promote sustainable global development, particularly the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The G20 Interfaith Forum also hopes
to catalyze policy change among G20 countries that are open to strategic cooperation between Governments and religious actors.

The Sovereign Order of Malta was represented by two delegates:
– Michel Veuthey, Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking.
– Michael P. Murphy, KM, Ambassador to Lesotho and Permanent Representative to the African Union Commission.

Ambassador Veuthey was invited to speak on the panel “The Fight Against Human Trafficking: Looking to 2030.” In his speech, he emphasized the importance of implementing legal instruments that define human trafficking by its three elements: the act, the means, and the goal of exploitation. He noted that, although global awareness has increased, the enforcement of existing laws is lagging and the responses remain fragmented and underfunded.

Then, Ambassador Veuthey proposed a coordinated, victim-centered approach focusing on five core areas: Prevention, protection, justice, empowerment, and structural change. He recommended using all legal frameworks synergistically, including human rights, labor, and refugee
law, to address the issue comprehensively. He also stressed the need to address the root causes of human trafficking and hold States, corporations and civil society accountable for perpetuating impunity and profiting from exploitation.

During the Q&A session, Ambassador Michel Veuthey supported the proposal made by Kevin Hyland, OBE, Praeveni Global and Santa Marta Group, of establishing a global anti-trafficking coordination body supported by the G20. This body should include States, international organizations, faith organizations, and civil society organizations.

He concluded that, beyond political campaigns and legal battles, we must acknowledge the spiritual dimension of slavery. We must pray for the victims, the helpers, and the conversion of the traffickers.

This intensive conference week was a valuable opportunity to foster relationships with various stakeholders and promote the Order of Malta’s work.

You can access the Ambassador’s presentation HERE.