Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, said the 80th anniversary of the United Nations “should be less of a birthday party and more of a wake-up call”.  Acknowledging the necessity of the Organisation in a world “too much in flames”, he called for a transparent selection process for the next Secretary-General — not political bargaining — and an expanded Security Council to “serve as a greater counterbalance to the dominance of the larger powers”.  Though a small country, Malta “has a deep commitment to the power of multilateral engagement”, he continued, highlighting its participation at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.

Further, neutrality is enshrined in his country’s constitution which positions the nation as a bridge builder.  “Sadly, on Malta’s doorstep, two such conflicts, wars, are raging,” he said, first addressing the Russian Federation’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine over three years ago: “Malta remains resolute […] in demanding a lasting and just peace that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty”. Kyiv must be involved in any future peace talks.

“So too must there be an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza,” he continued, calling for the immediate release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip.  Earlier this week, Malta recognized the State of Palestine, he said, underscoring that a “two-state solution — no — isn’t a reward for Hamas; it is the only way […] to finally banish the evil of Hamas”.

In that vein he called for an internationally coordinated response to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty and conflict, and urged “every Member of the United Nations to recommit to the primacy of international law”.  As Malta is at “at the frontline of rising temperatures and rising sea-levels”, he pressed for greater financial support to small island developing States that are the most threatened by man-made climate change and must adapt quickly.  “And the adaptation must not cause a financial burden to our citizens,” he noted.  In the face of “unprecedented challenges,” the world must “double down” on multilateralism,” he concluded.