Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo met with the three newly appointed ‘thematic’ Ambassadors: Cecilia Attard Pirotta as Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, Professor Godfrey Baldacchino as Ambassador for Islands and Small States, and Professor André Xuereb as Ambassador for Digital Affairs.
Through these appointments, the Ministry aims to address new realities and keep pace with the continued transition and development in international relations. In this regard, the ambassadors are expected to encourage and influence the debate around the current issues and challenges.
The mandate of the Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) includes advising the Government on domestic and foreign policy in this particular field, strengthening the national dimension of the United Nations’ WPS agenda, and to represent Malta in national and international initiatives that advance women’s participation in peace and security.
In this context, Attard Pirrotta is responsible for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, in accordance with the terms defined in United Nations resolution 1325. The plan, which emphasizes the important role of women in conflict prevention and resolution, focuses inter alia on promoting gender equality, including in decision-taking roles, and preventing all forms of gender-based violence.
The Ambassador for Islands and Small States will focus on strengthening Malta's central role in this sector. Professor Baldacchino will lead efforts to promote the interests of small states (and mainly islands) in the international arena, with clear benefits for both Malta’s foreign and trade policy and the economic development of Malta and other small states.
He will work closely with the Institute of Islands and Small States (ISSI) of the University of Malta, as well as with the Malta-based Small States Center of Excellence, in order to promote, among other things, scholarship opportunities in this field.
Professor Baldacchino will also offer advice to the government in order to promote the interests of small states, with an increase in Malta’s allocation from the Overseas Development Fund to these states, especially through projects implemented by non-governmental organizations dedicated to work in the field of international development.
With the appointment of an Ambassador for Digital Affairs, Malta is sending a very important signal to the largest multinational companies, as well as start-ups and growth companies in our country, that Malta is not ambiguous in its ambition to grow as a global technology center.
Professor Xuereb will be based in Malta, from where he will promote the potential and opportunities that our country offers, and work with the Government to support Maltese companies that want to expand their operations beyond national borders. He will also lead Malta’s international commitment to advancing and protecting the security interests of Malta’s national and foreign policy in cyber and critical technology.