Month: May 2025

Launch of the 3rd Edition of the Public Service Expo Village

During the official opening of the Public Service Expo at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a groundbreaking €4 million investment in artificial intelligence through the introduction of Microsoft Copilot, a cutting-edge AI productivity tool. This initiative will see Microsoft Copilot made available directly on the laptops of public officials, marking a major step forward in the Government’s digital transformation strategy. Over the next two years, 8,000 public service employees will benefit from full access to the tool, along with comprehensive training to ensure its effective use in day-to-day operations. As part of this strategic investment, public officials will also gain access to a Centre of Excellence operated by Microsoft in collaboration with Government and MITA. This hub will serve as a knowledge and innovation platform to further support the integration of AI technologies across the Public Service.

Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted a landmark investment in Malta’s digital infrastructure, aimed at driving the continued transformation and modernization of public services. “We must ensure that our Public Service evolves in step with the changing realities of today and those of tomorrow,” Dr Abela said. He affirmed that this strategic investment places Malta at the forefront of digital innovation, positioning it to become the first administration in Europe to implement artificial intelligence at such an advanced level and scale. This initiative forms a cornerstone of the Vision Malta 2050, a bold, future-focused strategy that embraces technological progress. Crucially, the Prime Minister underscored that AI is being introduced not to replace human workers, but to empower and complement them, enhancing their roles and increasing efficiency across the board.

The third edition of the Public Service Expo Village was officially launched this morning under the inspiring theme ‘Youth, their Future in the Public Service’. With participation from all Ministries and public sector entities, the Expo will run until Sunday, 25 May at MFCC in Ta’ Qali, offering a vibrant programme of activities designed for all ages.

In his opening address, Prime Minister Robert Abela described the Public Service as a key driver in implementing the Government’s reform agenda; both those already accomplished and those on the horizon. Applauding the unwavering commitment of public officers, under the leadership of Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, the Prime Minister said, “Public Service employees are essential to achieving new heights of excellence and delivering on the ambitions of our youth and of every Maltese and Gozitan citizen.” Dr Abela also highlighted last year’s landmark collective agreement, which provided improved conditions and salary increases for 33,000 civil servants. He praised this as a tangible reflection of Government’s commitment to fostering a high performing, respected Public Service that continues to deliver excellence for the people.

Tony Sultana, Head of the Public Service, noted that Malta’s public administration has consistently ranked among the top in Europe’s digital transformation journey. “Malta is leading with some of the best online services and eGovernment platforms in the EU, thanks to strategic and sustained investment in technology now surpassing €1 billion,” he said.

Sultana also underscored the transformative role of artificial intelligence in today’s workplace. “We’ve entered a new era where AI is redefining how we work. Tasks that used to take days now take minutes, and even non-technical staff can perform complex, high-value work if they are ready to embrace innovation.” He called on young public employees to step forward with bold, fresh ideas to help shape the future of public service.

The Public Service Expo Village offers a dynamic platform to explore and experience the wide range of services offered by the Government. These include on-site ID card renewals, medical screenings, information on national schemes and benefits, interactive discussions, sports simulations, live demonstrations, podcasts, and exhibitions. Above all, the Expo aims to serve as a living showcase of how Malta’s Public Service is modernising, evolving, and engaging directly with the citizens it serves offering not just services, but a vision of the future.

Prime Minister Robert Abela reaffirms unwavering commitment to equality

Malta has proudly hosted this year’s edition of the European IDAHOT+ Forum, one of Europe’s leading platforms dedicated to advancing LGBTIQ+ rights, equality, and inclusion. Focusing on “Advancing SOGIGESC Equality and Inclusion in a Transforming Europe,” the Forum aimed to confront the ongoing forces of violence and discrimination that threaten the safety and dignity of LGBTIQ+ individuals.

During his keynote speech, Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted Malta’s progress in advancing equality over the past decade, stating, “We have managed to make significant strides forward towards achieving equality for all. We have given people long-overdue rights to be who they want to be and to love whoever they want to, without any restrictions. As a country, we wanted to send a clear message, that being yourself is not a crime.”

While celebrating Malta’s progress, the Prime Minister also recognised that sustaining equality requires continued national effort. He reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment in this regard, stating that Malta will continue to show its unwavering support as it strives to remain a beacon of equality for all.

Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg noted that the presence of government representatives at this Forum sends a strong and united message of solidarity in support of fundamental human rights for LGBTIQ+ communities. She emphasised that the principles of equality, dignity, and inclusion must remain guiding values for both governments and society at large. The parliamentary secretary stated that with strong political will, Malta has achieved significant progress in advancing civil rights. This sustained commitment has placed Malta at the top of ILGA-Europe’s Equality Index for ten consecutive years, among 49 European countries. She also expressed concern over the erosion of such rights in some countries, adding that it is essential to safeguard and protect the hard-won progress achieved to date, while warning against regressive attitudes that risk undermining human rights and equality.

The Forum called for deeper collaboration and unified action, striving toward a Europe where equality is not only pursued, but genuinely realised.

New agreements signed between Malta and Jordan to strengthen cooperation across various sectors

Malta and Jordan have signed a number of new agreements that will lead to greater cooperation and joint efforts across several different sectors.

This took place during an official visit to Amman, Jordan by Prime Minister Robert Abela, where he met with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that this visit marks an important moment in the longstanding friendship between Malta and Jordan, as both countries share a strong history of cooperation and mutual respect. Therefore, this visit provides a valuable opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations.

“In this spirit of partnership, we aim to continue enhancing our cooperation in various areas, and today we are advancing collaboration in tourism, education, culture, as well as in water and energy cooperation. The Framework Agreement for Cooperation being signed today will bring together technical teams from both our countries to identify areas of mutual interest that can benefit us all,” remarked the Prime Minister.

In fact, the agreements signed include the establishment of a Permanent Joint Economic Commission, an agreement on technical cooperation in the fields of energy and water, an agreement on collaboration in the tourism sector, and an agreement promoting cooperation in the areas of archiving and the Maltese language.

Prime Minister Robert Abela also referred to recent developments in the Middle East, stating, “Jordan has consistently demonstrated a firm commitment to peace, security, and regional cooperation. Your efforts in promoting dialogue, addressing humanitarian challenges, and supporting sustainable development have been instrumental in strengthening stability in this complex region.”

Dr Abela further affirmed, “Malta stands ready to support and cooperate with Jordan in these vital initiatives, as we believe that a stable and secure Middle East benefits not only our two countries, but the entire international community.”

During his visit to Jordan, the Maltese Prime Minister also held a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan. Dr Abela was accompanied by the Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, Malta’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan George Said Zammit, Sherpa Leandro Borg, and the Head of Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister, Colonel Mark Mallia.

During an official visit to Jordan, Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the Al Za’atari refugee camp, which is operated by the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR.

This is the largest refugee camp in the world, providing assistance and protection to refugees who have fled violence in Syria.

Prime Minister Robert Abela had the opportunity to meet UNHCR workers who carry out invaluable work daily with around 70,000 refugees. Half of the camp’s population are children, and remarkably, 20% of them are under five years of age.

Within the camp, there are also 32 schools. In fact, 23,000 students attend these schools and receive their daily education. The camp also includes 8 health centres, with one particular clinic operating 24 hours a day. In addition, food and essential services such as energy and water are also provided.

While observing the important daily work of this agency, Prime Minister Robert Abela also had the opportunity to meet with many residents of the camp. He witnessed various activities, including handcrafts and other forms of work that generate income and contribute back to the camp community.

Moreover, the Prime Minister sat with different individuals and families, listening to their daily experiences and the circumstances that led them to reside in the camp. It was during this visit that Dr Abela announced that the Maltese Government would be assisting the operations of this refugee camp, and thereby its residents, through a financial donation.

The Prime Minister also had the opportunity to meet some of the children and even spent some time playing football with them, a game that unites people and cultures from all over the world.

Prime Minister Abela concluded his visit with a message in favour of peace, which brings about the political and economic stability that benefits so many people.

“Kooperazzjoni aktar b’saħħitha fl-Ewropa u mal-ġirien tagħna hija kruċjali għas-sigurtà, ir-reżiljenza u l-istabbiltà dejjiema” – Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela

Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela sostna li s-sigurtà u r-reżiljenza huma konnessi u tenna l-ħtieġa ta’ impenn lejn kooperazzjoni aktar effettiva li twassal mhux biss għal solidarjetà iżda wkoll għal stabbiltà fil-kontinent Ewropew.

Huwa qal dan waqt li attenda għas-sitt Summit tal-Komunità Politika Ewropea f’Tirana l-Albanija fejn tenna għal darb’oħra l-importanza ta’ ħidma lejn paċi dejjiema fl-Ukrajna u fil-Lvant Nofsani.

B’rabta mad-diskussjoni dwar is-sigurtà, il-Prim Ministru sostna wkoll li l-kontinent Ewropew irid ikun aktar proattiv biex jibdel f’opportunitajiet l-isfidi komuni li qed jiġu ffaċċjati, inkluż realtajiet bħal dawk ta’ popolazzjonijiet dejjem akbar fl-età, it-trasformazzjoni ekonomika u l-kompetizzjoni globali aktar missielta.

Hawn Dr Abela ġab eżempju bir-realtajiet ta’ Malta li llum il-ġurnata huma xprunati mis-suċċess ekonomiku li nkiseb fl-aħħar snin. Għalhekk tenna kif Malta llum qed tara li tindirizza realtajiet differenti fosthom dwar il-migrazzjoni, permezz tal-Labour Migration Policy.

Il-Prim Ministru pparteċipa wkoll f’diskussjoni dwar il-kooperazzjoni għas-sigurtà fil-fruntieri u l-migrazzjoni, fejn tenna li fuq livell Ewropew hemm bżonn li jittieħed approċċ strateġiku biex il-fruntieri tagħna jkunu aktar siguri filwaqt li l-aqwa talent jiġi miżmum fil-kontinent sabiex inlaħħqu mad-domanda tax-xogħol.

F’din id-diskussjoni, il-Prim Ministru rrimarka li l-futur tal-Ewropa jiddependi mill-ħaddiema tiegħu u b’hekk saħaq fuq l-importanza tat-titjib tal-ħiliet tagħhom, u li jkunu jirriflettu wkoll id-domanda tax-xogħol għall-ġejjieni.

Dr Abela tkellem ukoll dwar l-esperjenza ta’ pajjiżna fil-ġestjoni tal-immigrazzjoni irregolari, fejn filwaqt li rrefera għas-suċċess ta’ pajjiżna li ra żieda ta’ ritorni u tnaqqis fil-wasliet matul l-aħħar snin bis-saħħa tal-politika tal-Gvern, saħaq ukoll fuq il-volatilità tas-sitwazzjoni fil-Mediterran speċjalment fid-dawl tat-tensjonijiet fil-Libja.

Għaldaqstant tenna li bħala kontinent irridu naħdmu aktar fuq il-prevenzjoni permezz ta’ titjib tar-relazzjonijiet mal-pajjiżi tal-oriġini u t-tranżitu.

Matul dan is-Summit, il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela pparteċipa wkoll f’laqgħa oħra flimkien mal-mexxejja ta’ Spanja, l-Irlanda, in-Norveġja, il-Lussemburgu, l-Iżlanda u s-Slovenja, fejn ġiet diskussa s-sitwazzjoni fil-Lvant Nofsani. Fit-tmiem tal-laqgħa ġiet iffirmata wkoll dikjarazzjoni konġunta bejn is-seba’ pajjiżi b’sejħa sabiex il-partijiet kollha nvoluti jimpenjaw ruħhom favur waqfien mill-ġlied u t-twassil tal-għajnuna umanitarja fl-istrixxa ta’ Gaża.

Fil-marġini tas-Summit, il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela kellu wkoll għadd ta’ laqgħat bilaterali fosthom mal-Prim Ministru Taljana Giorgia Meloni u l-President tar-Repubblika tal-Kosovo, l-Eċċellenza Tagħha Vjosa Osmani Sadriu. F’dawn il-laqgħat ġew diskussi temi ċċentrati madwar it-tisħiħ tar-relazzjonijiet bilaterali u l-kooperazzjoni reġjonali.