Speech by Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Ukraine, during the International Conference "Humanitarian Diplomacy in the Conditions of War in Ukraine" (Kyiv, July 4, 2024)

 

Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

good morning and welcome to the Conference about humanitarian diplomacy in the context of the war in Ukraine.

First of all I would like to thank the Director of the Diplomatic Academy H.E. Hennadyi Nadolenko who once again hosts us in this wonderful location and Mr. Pavlo Kryvonos Director of the GDIP and his staff whit whom we have a long and fruitful collaboration.

I would also like to thank the representatives of the President and of the Ukrainian government, the speakers who will speak today, and all of you who are here today to discuss this really central issue in this time.

It is difficult to define the concept of humanitarian diplomacy because, in reality, it is a constantly evolving pratice. Not only that, but it is interpreted differently by the various actors who use it. Therefore it is probably not so relevant to give an abstract definition of humanitarian diplomacy.

 Surely humanitarian diplomacy has become an increasingly essential part of international relations. It takes place at various levels and with the participation of a wide range of actors: states, international organisations, NGOs, regional organisations, etc.

Its main objectives include:

  • conflict prevention and deescalation;
  • protection of the most vulnerable sections of the population;
  • access to humanitarian aid;
  • promotion of human rights;
  • international coordination among humanitarian actors;
  • respect for the principles of the international law;
  • mobilisation of resources;
  • exhortation to international support;
  • commitment and professionalism in the reconstruction.

Unfortunately, there are many obstacles preventing the realisation of these goals. Among them are following:

  • limited economic resources and, on this point, I would like to emphasise that many humanitarian organisations have sounded the alarm about the dramatic decrease in international humanitarian aid to Ukraine;
  • national sovereignty, wich sometimes condemns the activities of international organisations on its territory as an intrusion;
  • opposing political interests;
  • geopolitical complexity of conflicts;
  • non-state actors who do not recognise the principles of international law, and unfortunately sometimes even states openly violate international law.

The main instruments of humanitarian diplomacy are:

  • dialogue and negotiation;
  • mediation;
  • resource mobilisation;
  • information campaigns;
  • advocacy that is raising awareness among the public and policymakers about humanitarian issues;
  • collection and sharing of information, etc.

With regard to Ukraine specifically, we all know that we are facing a particularly complex scenario in wich we must act with articulated and coordinated activities between various actors. In these context it is important the promotion of multilateral negotiations, creation of humanitarian corridors, cooperation with local and international organisations, efficient and transparent distribution of humanitarian aid, immediate response to changing people’s needs, protection not only of people but also of civil infrastructures such as hospitals and schools.

In this framework, the exchange of information, knowledge of the territory, monitoring especially of the most at-risk areas, empowerment of local communities are crucial, as is the communication in order to keep the international community’s attention high on what is happening in this country.

The Sovereign Order of Malta is playing a key role in Ukraine. The Order has been carrying out humanitarian activity in Ukraine since 1991. This activity has been greatly increased since the beginning of the war with the involvement of all Order’s structures in the country and abroad. I would like to emphasise that the Order of Malta is one of the main actors, in Ukraine and around the world, working through the channels of humanitarian diplomacy.

It is a sovereign, neutral, apolitical state without commercial interests. It enjoys prestige and international credibility for its daily activities and for its almost thousand-year history. These characteristics put the Order in an optimal position to carry out its work in favour of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. The international relations of the Order of Malta and, in particular, its current 113 embassies around the world and its presence in the most important multilateral bodies, enable maximum diplomatic support for its activities and humanitarian projects.

Again with reference to Ukraine, I would like to mention the intergovernmental agreement between the Order and Ukraine signed here in Kyiv in 2019, which, among other things, allowed the Order, during this time of war, the importation of many tonnes of humanitarian material tax-free and with various bureaucratic facilities, which sped and facilitated the work in the field. This is a clear example where diplomatic activity has supported humanitarian activity.

I take this opportunity to renew all the Order’s and my personal appreciation for the work carried out to date in Ukraine by Malteser of Ukraine and Malteser International with professionalism, dedication and courage, and I invite everyone to observe a minute’s silence in memory of those who serving under the insignia of the Order, and of the other humanitarian organisations, lost their lives in this terrible time of war.

Of course, there is still a long way to go.

Many are the chalenges we face in the near future and many are the intruments that can be used or implemented to make humanitarian diplomacy more efficient. Among them are:

  • so-called digital diplomacy, wich though IT platforms can improve and speed up multilateral communication and facilitate negotiations, monitoring, rationalisation and efficiency in the distribution of aid;
  • public-private partnerships involving companies and their expertise in terms of resources, innovations, logistics, etc;
  • artificial intelligence for analysing big data and optimising the use and distribution of resources;
  • new approach in terms not of mere emergency but of the sustainability of medium – and long- term support programmes. And on this point I would like to add that the Order of Malta has since this year launched a new strategy that takes especially into account the sustainability over time of humanitarian projects;
  • so- called local diplomacy to give more voice to local communities and their needs;
  • the traceability of donations, that is transparency in the use of donated resources. In other words if donors know exaclty how their resources have been used and to whom they have been allocated, they will be more likely to reiterate their support and involve other potential donors.

Obviously, I have only mentioned a few outlines of this complex subject and I am sure that the speakers who will come after me will address many other interesting aspects.

My conviction is that in the humanitarian sector we must achieve ever greater synergies  because we have increasingly difficult challenges to face.

We think, among other issues, of the dramatic conditions in which milions of children live, food security, drinking water supply, health services, precarious living conditions of the most vulnerable in the framework of next winter due to the destruction of many energy infrastructures.

The challenges are great but, again, I am convinced that throught the efficient coordination of the forces in the field we can face them together and overcome them.

I would like to close by wishing from the bottom of my heart that this great country and its courageous people can find peace and serenity for the reconstruction and future as soon as possible.