The Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office have formalized an important partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement, signed today by the Order of Malta’s Grand Chancellor and the United Kingdom Ambassador to the Holy See – in the presence of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ John Dunlap – initiates official relations through the exchange of representatives. This is a very significant step in the extension of the Order of Malta’s system of international relations.

This important agreement will enable the Order to strengthen its joint commitment in humanitarian activities in Third Countries, emergency response and cooperation in international development.

“I am confident that this Memorandum will only enhance the already close bonds of friendship between the United Kingdom and the Sovereign Order of Malta, providing new occasions to work jointly for the fulfilment of our common objectives” stated the Grand Master.

The MOU outlines areas of cooperation aimed at strengthening bilateral dialogue on a range of critical issues, including crisis management, international humanitarian assistance, and disaster response. Key focus areas include public health, refugee assistance, climate adaptation, and third-country cooperation in providing humanitarian aid.

“I am confident that the new perspectives offered by this innovative instrument, such as a structural dialogue between our Foreign Ministries, the designation of Official Representatives and the possible implementation of joint humanitarian activities in third countries, will open a new chapter in the history of the long-standing relations existing between the United Kingdom and the Order of Malta”, stated the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.

Ambassador Christoper Trott expressed his appreciation for the work of the Order of Malta, referring in particular to Ukraine and the Holy Land.
In the United Kingdom the Order of Malta is particularly active in the area of care for the elderly and currently runs over 70 residential homes specialising in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Activities for the homeless and disabled are also numerous.

Today’s agreement is the latest milestone in a long history of friendship and cooperation between the Order of Malta and the British authorities. In 2018, the then Prince of Wales, Charles, visited an Order of Malta project in Romania supporting over 100 underprivileged children of Roma origins.

The British arm of the Order, including the Grand Priory of England (established in 1144 and restored in 1993) and the British Association (established in 1875), continues to engage in charitable activities across the UK. These include pilgrimages, soup kitchens, and services like the “Order of Malta Dial a Journey” programme, which provides assisted transport for the disabled in central Scotland.