On June 16 20206, the High Commissioner presented his report to the Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, a concern widely echoed by delegations amid ongoing crises worldwide.

The delegation delivered a statement reaffirming the Sovereign Order of Malta’s humanitarian mission to protect populations affected by armed conflict through medical assistance, emergency relief and healthcare grounded in impartiality, neutrality and needs-based assistance. It highlighted the Order’s response to the worsening crisis in Lebanon, where renewed displacement is straining overcrowded towns, as well as its life-saving support to displaced persons in Syria and its psychosocial, child protection and rehabilitation services for conflict-affected communities in Ukraine. The statement closed by reaffirming the Order’s commitment to multilateral cooperation on humanitarian issues, health and crisis response.