Month: September 2025

PM Abela addresses world leaders at the Two-State solution conference at the United Nations stating that “Just because something is hard does not make it impossible”.

On behalf of the Maltese people, Prime Minister Robert Abela has today officially recognised the State of Palestine. This historic decision aligns Malta with the growing number of nations affirming Palestinian statehood as a cornerstone for achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. The Prime Minister was speaking at the United Nations Conference on the Two-State Solution.

In his statement, Prime Minister Abela said, “On behalf of the Maltese people, I have today confirmed our nation’s recognition of Palestinian statehood. Today’s step, however, is only one of many needed to achieve the dream of all those of goodwill. Starvation in Gaza must end. Fighting must stop now. All October 7th hostages must be released. Hamas has no future in the new Palestinian state.” He added, “Malta is not naïve. We know that the road is hard and testing, but a peaceful two-state solution remains the only solution for the region, and we are ready to offer our assistance to give life to this solution. Just because something is hard does not make it impossible.”

Malta has consistently condemned the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023 by Hamas and has reiterated its call for the unconditional release of all hostages, alongside its urgent appeal for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The statements were delivered at a tailormade event as part of the UN General Assembly week currently happening in New York. Other countries who also confirmed the recognition of Palestinian statehood included Andorra, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco and San Marino. Australia, Canada, Portugal and the United Kingdom all recognised the Palestinian state on Sunday.

In parallel with its political commitment, Malta is also acting on the humanitarian front. On the eve of this announcement Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed in a public message that 250 tonnes of flour from Malta had successfully arrived in Gaza and are to be distributed through the World Central Kitchen as humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Malta is also continuing to assist Palestinian children injured in the conflict, demonstrating the government’s commitment to combine declarations for a better future with concrete action to address current suffering.

Prime Minister Robert Abela is currently in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where more than 190 world leaders, including Heads of State and Government, are gathered to discuss global peace, human rights, and sustainable development under the theme set by UN Secretary-General António Guterres: ‘Better United Together: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Human Rights, and Development’.

During a consultation meeting with the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) at Auberge de Castille, Prime Minister Robert Abela reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continue prioritising what is best for our children by maintaining strong investment in the education sector. He noted that this investment benefits everyone, students and also educators who in recent months have seen significant improvements through agreements that delivered salary increases and substantial enhancements to their working conditions

The Prime Minister underlined that open dialogue and constructive discussions with educators and stakeholders have consistently led to positive milestones. “Last year we concluded five sectoral agreements covering state, Church, and independent schools. We invested over €95 million in these agreements, directly benefitting 7,766 educators,” Dr Abela said. Adding that these agreements have given educators long-awaited recognition for their professional progress through qualification allowances, as well as adjustments that reflect their workload. At the same time, continued investment in schools is providing modern learning spaces and better resources.

“We are giving a strong boost to digital education and STEM. Our country must continue preparing a workforce equipped with the skills needed for the future, while remaining at the forefront of innovation, development, and progress,” the Prime Minister stated. He added that more than 9,300 devices are being distributed to students through the One Device Per Child programme, and that the new Digital Education Strategy will introduce innovative, AI-based tools to further enhance learning.

The Prime Minister noted that the number of children leaving school early has dropped to 9.6%. This means that today we have the lowest level of early school leavers compared to previous years.

Ministers Clifton Grima and Julia Farrugia, Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg, Members of Parliament Rosianne Cutajar and Abigail Camilleri and the Head of Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister Mark Mallia were also present for the meeting.

“Se nippreżentaw Budget ieħor importanti li fih inkomplu ninċentivaw l-intrapriżi lokali biex igawdi kemm min qed joħloq il-karrieri ta’ kwalità f’pajjiżna imma anki min dak li qed jaħdem u qabad karriera ta’ kwalità.” Sostna dan il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela meta tkellem ma’ ħaddiema u professjonisti waqt li żar l-uffiċini tal-kumpanija Finanzi f’ San Ġwann. Din il-kumpanija, li twaqqfet fl-2018,  kibret b’pass mgħaġġel  u llum għandha tim ta’ 45 professjonist. Finanzi hija kumpanija, bi tmexxija żagħżugħa ta’ daqs medju li toffri firxa ta’ servizzi speċjalizzati fl-accounting, taxxa korporattiva, awditjar u konsulenza.

Waqt din iż-żjara, akkumpanjat mill-Ministru għall-Ekonomija, Intrapriża u Proġetti Strateġiċi Silvio Schembri flimkien mad-Deputat tal-Gvern Cressida Galea,  il-Prim Ministru faħħar l-impenn ta’ Finanzi li tiżviluppa talent lokali u toħloq opportunitajiet għal karrieri ta’ kwalità. Huwa nnota wkoll l-entużjażmu qalb il-ħaddiema u l-ispirtu taż-żgħażagħ li jmexxu ’l quddiem il-kumpanija li qed jirrifletti l-ġenerazzjoni l-ġdida ta’ tmexxija ekonomika f’Malta.

“L-imprenditorjat miż-żgħażagħ mutur f’ekonomija b’saħħitha. Waqt żjarat bħal tal-lum naraw eżempju ta’ kif iż-żgħażagħ Maltin b’viżjoni u determinazzjoni rnexxielhom jibnu kumpanija li mhux biss tagħti l-għajxien lil ħafna familji, iżda wkoll tikkontribwixxi għas-suċċess ekonomiku tal-pajjiż. Aħna rridu nkomplu noħolqu bilanċ bejn l-interessi tal-ħaddiema u tal-intrapriżi biex flimkien inkabbru l-ġid ekonomiku,” sostna Dr Abela.

Il-Prim Ministru saħaq ukoll fuq l-importanza ta’ investiment fl-innovazzjoni u fit-teknoloġija, b’mod partikolari fl-infrastruttura diġitali u fl-intelliġenza artifiċjali, li huma kruċjali sabiex kumpaniji bħal Finanzi jibqgħu joffru servizz ta’ livell għoli u jżommu vantaġġ kompetittiv f’suq globali li qed jinbidel b’pass mgħaġġel.

Min-naħa tagħhom, Finanzi ħabbru li jinsabu fi stadju ġdid ta’ tkabbir b’investimenti f’sistemi avvanzati, li għandhom pjan biex id-daqs tat-tim jirdoppja fi żmien ħames snin, u li qegħdin jaħdmu sabiex jintroduċu servizzi ġodda f’setturi bħall-avjazzjoni u marittimu. Fil-futur, il-kumpanija għandha l-għan li tespandi l-ħidma tagħha barra minn Malta u tkompli tikber f’dan is-settur.

During a consultation meeting on Budget 2026 with the Malta Entertainment and Arts Association (MEIA) at Auberge de Castille, Prime Minister Robert Abela emphasised that the Government is fully prioritising the arts, culture, and entertainment sectors. In recent years, these areas have been given a strong boost through initiatives that are further strengthening these sectors.

The Prime Minister underlined the Government’s commitment to continue building on what has already been achieved, to further improve the quality and reach of these sectors.

The Prime Minister mentioned the Malta Vision 2050 which gives high priority to our national identity, the arts, culture, language, and all that makes up the Maltese identity and talent. “This is a vision that goes beyond political partisanship – a long-term plan that clearly outlines where, as a country and as a people, we want to go,” he said.

He referred to a number of schemes and financial assistance programmes provided by public entities, including the Malta Investment in Cultural Organisations, the Arts Support Scheme for projects, and the Access Support Scheme. These initiatives, the Prime Minister said, not only provide multi-year support but also offer stability to those who benefit from them.

He also mentioned the Malta Book Fund, which covers printing and marketing costs and helps mitigate the risks faced by publishers and authors.

In addition, the Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s work in providing legal protection and the strengthening of fiscal measures. In October last year, the government launched the National Charter for the Status of the Artist, for those involved in the industry to use as a reference and framework for financing conditions, among others. Adding that fiscal measures have also been improved so that today, artists earning up to €50,000 pay 7.5% in tax.

Dr Abela noted that several spaces are already available to support the arts, including the Valletta Design Cluster, Spazju Kreattiv, MICAS, and the Ta’ Qali concert area, alongside assistance schemes such as the Theatre Spaces Support Scheme. He announced that the Government is also working towards developing a Culture Hub in Marsa, which will include theatres, cinemas, workshop areas, and other facilities.

Also present for the meeting were Ministers Owen Bonnici and Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli and Head of Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister Mark Mallia.