PM says Malta will continue taking innovative initiatives to counter climate change
Climate change and its effects are on Prime Minister Robert Abela’s agenda as he continues his commitments at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a Department of Information statement said Thursday.
During a discussion with the theme, Addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise, together with various other nations who are at risk of this, as well as nations such as Malta that support them, the Prime Minister spoke about the importance that Malta is giving to this matter.
This is being done not only through the initiatives taken on a national level, but also through the participation in international forums, so much so that the subject of the implications of rising sea levels was placed on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council by the Maltese Presidency.
The Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly also participated in this event.
“As members of the Security Council we aim to keep this subject at the centre of the agenda,” assured the Prime
Minister while explaining how Malta will continue to be a voice for those nations who are impacted the most by the threat of rising sea levels. The Prime Minister stated that Malta will continue to ensure that these countries are heard and supported.
The Prime Minister spoke about the sovereignty of those countries that are threatened by this phenomenon and that the protection of this sovereignty needs to be ensured. The Prime Minister also noted how cultural and historical identities need to be protected.
Abela spoke about those most vulnerable in society, above all, women and children.
“This is why we need to protect the environment and our people, prosperity and the way of living, against the challenges being faced by the increase in rising sea levels,” stated the Prime Minister during his speech.
Abela stated that while we speak about the impacts of this phenomenon, as a small nation Malta will continue to take strong and innovative decisions, such as the ones taken at COP26 with the initiative Island for island.
The Prime Minister also referred to another initiative which is being developed by the Small States Institute, the University of Malta and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific states.
This is a concrete example of the partnership between the government, academics and international groups with a common goal. Through this project, the Climate Vulnerability and Resilience Index is being developed for an effective evaluation of the impacts of climate change on vulnerable states.
Abela also referred to the concept of Green Bonds, which were issued by the Water Services Corporation. In fact, it is one of the first water companies globally that took such an ecological initiative whereby bonds are certified to be used for environmental projects in the water sector with the aim of improving the quality of water and efficiencies, and also in renewables. These are projects that strengthen our country’s resilience in this sector.