Participants,

I would like to begin by thanking and commending the Malta Model United Nations Society for organising this annual conference, and for its initiative to provide a platform for young people to discuss issues of international importance. I am also pleased to see not only Maltese youths, but young people from all over the world here with us today.

The theme for this year’s MaltMUN conference is “Global Resolve: Charting a Path to Stability”. This theme is bold and ambitious. The world we live in today is facing multifaceted problems and challenges, such as conflict, civil unrest, economic insecurity, public health emergencies, as well as the increasing impacts of climate change. 

The theme of this year’s conference incorporates two distinct yet connected meanings of the word ‘resolve’. During this conference, I understand that the main focus is to resolve, in terms of finding solutions to global issues.

However, by participating in this conference, you are all showing that today’s youth does not lack the resolve, the determination to take action on these issues. I am pleased to note that our youth are firmly paying attention to the challenges our world is facing, and are actively seeking solutions to this challenges.

The motto of the Malta Model United Nations Society is “fostering excellence”. It may be shortsighted to view the Malta Model United Nations Society solely as a simulation of the United Nations. I tend to look at it more as an incubator of ideas and discussion that paves the path for future leaders and diplomats; a society that fosters excellence among our youth. 

The skills obtained during debates and negotiations, such as this conference, include mastering public speaking capabilities, enhancing negotiating and collaborative skills; skills beneficial for all young people working in all industries and sectors, not just in diplomacy or other related fields. 

By developing this skillset, you are preparing yourself to enter adulthood with a mind focused not only on solution finding, but also problem solving.  These might sound similar but are quite different.

Often, we tend to focus on solution finding; we tend to look at short-term resolutions to issues, which resolutions may not be sustainablein the long-term. Problem solving, on the other hand, focuses on the longer term and strives to find mediating answers to challenges, and maybe even anticipates others that may be foreseen.

Unfortunately, most of the time, problem solving is not the easier path, it can be long and tortuous. History has taught us the importance of diplomacy as a powerful tool towards finding possible solutions, through dialogue, negotiation, and the art of compromise; yet the art of compromise requires patience, dedication and perseverance.

However, time and time again, history has shown us that diplomacy as a means of reaching agreement is the method most beneficial for all.

This year’s Malta Model United Nations Conference 2024 centred on the workings of UNICEF, OSCE, IMO and UNSC, with the Press Corps, mimicking the media, minuting and reporting on each committee. 

Malta has been at the forefront of multilateralism in recent years, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2023-2024, and as Chair-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2024; Our participation at these levels illustrates at firsthand the impact small countries like ours can have at an international level. A prominent example is UN Security Council Resolution 2712 (2023), a Maltese-led initiative, which led to the first UN Security Council resolution on the Israeli-Hamas conflict that was successfully adopted and implemented by the parties involved.

Malta has a constitutional duty to promote peace, security and progress with all other nations.  Our international efforts, not only recent but also throughout history, are evidence of such a commitment and our work overseas is to continue striving for these principles.

The efforts you are undertaking within the Malta Model United Nations Society create a perfect platform to launch young, aspiring and determined individuals in the diplomatic sphere and at leadership levels.

The knowledge and experience you are gaining today will be key to solve tomorrow’s problems in a sustainable manner.  I also urge you to immerse yourselves in conferences like these as a means to network and learn different perspectives on current issues.

Whilst thanking you for your participation, I encourage you to remain active in societies like the Malta Model United Nations Society to further your skills in discussion and idea-sharing as this will enrich and widen your perspectives whilst it will prepare you to be tomorrow’s leaders.