H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, this morning addressed the 33rd Session of the African Caribbean Pacific – European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which focused on the issues of migration, demographic growth and investment in Africa.
The President said that Malta’s historical and cultural legacy, as a nation at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, provides further impetus to create opportunities for dialogue and connection between different cultures and peoples, adding that ‘as an islance at the crossroads of continents and civilizations, we know that, in this world, no country or group of people can face the future alone.’In light of the fact that Malta’s ongoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union is reinforcing “our commitment to work for peace, prosperity and the wellbeing of all societies,” the President said that our endeavours towards the building of peace, prosperity and holistic wellbeing depend on “our firm ability, and our firm resolutions, to promote, encourage, and work for a spirity of solidarity.”
In light of the fact that Malta’s ongoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union is reinforcing “our commitment to work for peace, prosperity and the wellbeing of all societies,” the President said that our endeavours towards the building of peace, prosperity and holistic wellbeing depend on “our firm ability, and our firm resolutions, to promote, encourage, and work for a spirity of solidarity.”
President Coleiro Preca commended the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, describing it as a unique institution, which celebrates partnerships between diverse stakeholders from the global South and North.
“We must recognise that our national and international authorities, our societies and communities, are interconnected.”
The President said that our national and international authorities, our societies and our communities should be structured around the need to provide basic dignity and respect, whilst working for the holistic wellbeing, of all humanity.
“The truth is that, in today’s world, global economic interdependence is a fact. However, I believe that we must also understand and accept that our interconnections go far deeper than the economy,” Her Excellency stated.
President Coleiro Preca said that whether we like it or not, these connections are active, across political, social, and ecological spheres of our countries and regions, adding that whoever we are, wherever we are positioned, and whatever we do, we are connected and effect each other, as one humanity.
In light of the parliamentary session’s focus, the President urged those present, to always, and in all ways “keep this underlying reality foremost” in their minds: “that peace, prosperity, and the wellbeing of our human race and the world are interconnected.”
The President said that just as sources of healthy development in one part of our economic, social, and ecological systems can have great benefits, which effect our socieities and our world, injustice discrimination, and oppression, are thwarting global development in some parts of the world, and are also destabilising our efforts to achieve the advancement of humanity, as a whole.
With this in mind, Her Excellency stated that promoting strategies to strengthen positive interdependence, between our different communities and nations, will lead to increased opportunities for all of humanity – these include opportunities for knowledge sharing and investment; research and innovation; international protection and security; and person-to-person relationship building, through education, trade, and tourism, amongst others.
“In this way,” President Coleiro Preca said, “by nurturing a proper transformation, to build and foster relationships and friendships, among the peoples of our nations, we shall come closer to achieving practical changes, that would be of particular benefit to the most vulnerable members of our communities, and our societies at large.”
“It is essential that our national authorities, business communities, and civil society activists continue working in synergy, to keep channels of political, economic and social goodwill open.”
When this happens, The President said that everyone will be helping to build sustainable peace, by addressing the holistic wellbeing of our countries and our regions. “We must endeavour, relentlessly, to keep these objectives high, on the agenda of the international community,” she added.
These very same objectives are fully endorsed, and supported by all the leaders of our nations, through the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, which provides an effective framework, and a practical action plan, for the sustainable future of our societies and our world.
Agenda 2030 acknowledges that the first, and most important, change which must be made, it so create a more equitable and fair system for the distribution of wealth.
“The first Sustainable Development Goal targets the eradication of poverty.”
Her Excellency said that poverty is the most basic inequality, which must be addressed, so that a deep-rooted social, economic, political, cultural and ecological transformation of our global situation is achieved.
SDG 1 makes it clear that an end to poverty, in all its manifestations, is essential to achieve global progress in all sectors of life.
“Poverty crushes people’s hopes and aspirations. Poverty demeans human dignity, and perpetuates cycles of precarity, which many a time spins out of control, and inflicts damaging consequences across multiple generations,” President Coleiro Preca said.
Nelson Mandela had said that “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made, and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”
In light of this, The President of Malta said that there can be no peace and prosperity for humanity, and our world, “if systematic injustices continue to be perpetuated, through our political institutions and socio-economic structures.”
“So long as a disproportionate share of the world’s resources are not being enjoyed by all, there shall be no equitable distribution, which translates into sustainable development for all humanity,” Her Excellency said.
“I urge you, as policy makers, and as the experts in your sectors, to take action, in a spirit of solidarity.”
President Coleiro Preca, said that, in light of the responsibility which we all have to implement the goals and targets of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, “we cannot continue to drag our feet, or to be complacent about the world’s situation,” whilst stating that “we must work across the borders of our nations, to agree upon, and to achieve, a shared vision of solidarity, equity and unity.”
“I believe that, the economic strengthening of our countries must be paralleled by increased attention to strategies, which ensure sustainable improvements in everybody’s daily life. We must conquer our fears and doubts; We must be courageous; We must put our faith in a global social solidarity approach; We must continue to empower the partnerships which also exist among ACP and EU nations; We must continue to reaffirm our commitment to universal rights and fundamental freedoms, which we need to implement by taking effective action,” Her Excellency said.
President Coleiro Preca called for everyone to priorities the need for promoting sustainable structured processes of democratic dialogue among the diverse cultural groups, social sectors, and communities of faith within our nations, and also appealed for everyone to resist threats of division and self-interest, wherever they occur, by standing firm “in our commitment to solidarity and peace.”
“Now is the time, for us to stand together, shoulder to shoulder.”
The President reiterated the importance of strengthening synergies, among our national authorities, international institutions, and civil societies.
“Communities and governments must come together, to improve communication among the various stakeholders that are active throughout our nations. This must be the approach, to tackle urgent issues of injustice, inequalities, poverty, precarity, and conflict,” President Coleiro Preca said, whilst appealing for a change to be made, on the ground, by encouraging the proactive participation of all our citizens, since our citizens have the best understanding of the changes which need to take place within society, to promote equity and social justice.
“Those within our societies, who have direct experiences of poverty, exclusions, and discrimination, are the best placed to influence and inform essential strategies and policies,” The President stated.
“I truly believe that much more must be done, to support vulnerable communities and less developed countries.”
The President called for safe and respectful spaces to be created and sustained – spaces where all people who have been pushed to the margins of society are welcomed as valued collaborators.
Here, Her Excellency urged those present, as politicians and as policymakers, to use their influence to ensure that the diverse voices of our peoples are heard, by sharing, and acting upon, their concerns and aspirations. In this way, effective strategies and policies for full inclusion and equitable participation, can be developed.
“It is only in this way, that we will come closer, towards creating the kind of world, and the kind of legacy, that we want to pass down to our children and all future generations,” President Coleiro Preca said.
“I augur that the collaborations between the African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries, and the European Union, will guide us towards the potential legacy of peace and prosperity.”
Her Excellency commended the United Nations Industrial Development Organisations, and the German government for their initiative, which is going to be launched later today, entitled ‘Global Africa’, which will provide a powerful space for dialogue and collaboration, by focusing on important issues of social, political, and economic development across Africa.
The President said that we all must be willing to face some challenging realities, which are blocking the full prosperity of the people of Africa, especially when considering that several proactive initiatives have, and are taking place. This show that there is already a sense of momentum, to place Africa high on the agendas of our nations, and on the agenda of the international community – a momentum which needs to keep going, to create a meaningful improvement for the communities and societies in Africa.
On concluding, President Coleiro Preca urged all of those present to continue to strive, together, to ensure sustainable and meaningful change, which promotes the dignity and the wellbeing of all peoples, across our societies and nations, for the benefit of both present and future generations.