Human Rights Council – A/HRC/51/32
Rethinking global peace and security: a democratic and equitable international order in jeopardy
Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Mr. Livingstone Sewanyana
Statement by Professor Michel Veuthey
Ambassador to monitor and combat trafficking in persons,
Deputy Permanent Observer in Geneva
Geneva, 19 September 2022
Mr. President, Excellencies,
The Sovereign Order of Malta wishes to express its thanks to the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Mr. Livingstone Sewanyana. We would like to congratulate the Independent Expert and his team for their well-documented report (A/HRC/51/32) on “Rethinking global peace and security: a democratic
and equitable international order in jeopardy”.
There is an obvious need to reinforce global peace and security, in order to cope with the main challenges and issues at stake.
We need to reaffirm the value of the Charter of the United Nations, especially Articles 1 and 2.
The Order of Malta would like to highlight the following statement by the Independent Expert: “More than ever, strong, efficient and inclusive multilateralism, sustained international cooperation and full respect for international law should be the responses to these crises.”
The Order of Malta welcomes the promotion of a culture of peace and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and took several initiatives in that respect. Allow me to mention, among others:
- Organisation of a Symposium “Religions Together for Humanitarian Action” at the Palais des Nations in 2015, which led to the participation to the World Humanitarian Summit (Istanbul, 2016). The Order of Malta intervened in a Special Session on Religious Engagement focusing on the role of religious institutions and faith-based organizations in humanitarian contexts.
- Drafting of a ”Religious Compact” Religions in Action, together with experts and representatives of the main monotheistic religions, which summarizes the principles and values shared by different faiths.[1]
- Participation in the 2021 Global Interfaith Summit in Dubai and the G20 Interfaith Dialogue Forum in Bologna
- Organisation of the meeting of the Transatlantic Policy Network on Religion and Diplomacy on the 16th of June 2022. The Grand Chancellor highlighted the need to “enhance the role of religious institutions in areas of crisis and conflict”.
The Order of Malta would like to underline the contribution of civil society and especially religious actors to reestablish peace and contribute to international security.
The Order of Malta is ready to cooperate with the Independent Expert.
Thank you.
[1] See the Order of Malta’s Activity Report 2021, pp. 54-55.