New York City, September 2025 — At the Sustainable Development Goals Roundtable 2025, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), global leaders gathered to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time: transforming dialogue into action for sustainable development.

Among the keynote speakers was Order of Malta South Australian Hospitaller Noel Mifsud who delivered an address on interfaith dialogue. Noel spoke for the need for deep listening grounded in self-reflection and strategic, collective action that ensures no one is overlooked.

I remain deeply saddened by how, in an increasingly interconnected world, humanity has become disconnected from the cries of humanity and the tears of planet Earth. Together, we can and must build bridges, strengthen social cohesion, and begin to heal a planet in distress. Interfaith dialogue serves as a powerful conduit for compassionate engagement. It calls us to tear down the walls of race, religion, and nationality and honour each other’s invisible suitcase of dreams for a more inclusive, peaceful, and resilient world.

Speaking to distinguished diplomats, civil society leaders, youth advocates, and human rights defenders from 30 countries. Noel reflected on the Order’s ‘hands-on’ service with the sick and the poor regardless of religion, nationality, gender, or age.

The Order of Malta is both unapologetically and unambiguously Catholic and truly catholic in its embrace of all of humanity and the wonderous yet fragile gift of creation. Whether offering free medical care in Timor-Leste, delivering emergency aid in warring nations, responding to emergencies around the globe or simply gifting a warm coat to someone sleeping rough, each act becomes a moment of interfaith dialogue—where engaged empathy and principled pluralism meet. Consider the gifting of a coat to a homeless person. Is this simple act not interfaith dialogue- is it not ..deep speaking to deep? When the giving is as unconditional as is the Divine’s love for humanity, the giver and receiver meet as equals, the exchange of an ordinary coat becomes an extraordinary communion.

Noel’s visit also included tours of faith-based schools and a visit to the embassy of the Order of Malta in New York where Noel and his Australian and NZ delegation were hosted by H.E. Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill and Grand Chancellor H.E. Riccardo Paternò di Montecup

Pictured top: Noel Mifsud apeaking at the Sustainable Development Goals Roundtable 2025.

Pictured below: Noel Mifsud and  H.E. Riccardo Paternò di Montecup, Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta