Malta has for centuries been a maritime state, but how is it to be a maritime state of the 21st century?
Maritime affairs are increasingly taking up more attention. The meaning of 'maritime' has broadened to include not just the traditional, important industries, like shipping and fisheries, but also anything connected with the sea, such as the maritime leisure industry, coastal management, energy production, and research on minerals and resources.
With the increasing importance of the sea for the production of food, wealth and knowledge, as well as leisure, there are more competing claims on its uses. And the time has also come for a more holistic approach to maritime affairs, with the aim of rationalising the use of resources, taking advantage of the new economic opportunities while at the same time ensuring sustainable development.
For this reason, the government has begun the process of formulating a holistic maritime policy. One of the steps it is taking is to consult all stakeholders in the area - local councils, the private sector and NGOs. To this end, a national conference will be held on Wednesday to broaden the process of consultation.
The conference will begin with an address by Censu Galea, Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, whose portfolio includes the co-ordination of maritime affairs. Minister Galea is expected to outline the aims of a holistic national maritime policy and its implications for governance.
His address will be followed by a presentation of the European Commission's Green Paper on maritime affairs by Patrick Tabone, chef de cabinet of Dr Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
Three panel discussions will follow. The first, chaired by Dr Marc Bonello, chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority, will address the competitiveness of the maritime economy. The panel will be addressed by economist Dr Gordon Cordina, Joseph Curmi, general secretary of the Malta International Shipping Council, who will address how the EC Green Paper affects European shipowners; and Roland Darmanin Kissaun, of S&D Yachts Ltd, who will address the prospects and opportunities of the maritime leisure industry, in particular yachting.
The second panel will by chaired by Professor Stephen Calleya, director of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. The panel will address sustainable development and link security with economic and ecological concerns. The speakers will be the economist Professor Lino Briguglio, Martin Seychell, of MEPA, and Capt. David Bugeja, of the Malta Maritime Authority.
The third panel will by chaired by Professor Juanito Camilleri, Rector of the University of Malta. It will address the knowledge economy and maritime affairs. The speakers will be Dr Aldo Drago, director of the International Ocean Institute-Malta and a member of the Physical Oceanography Unit of the University of Malta; David Spiteri-Gingell, chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology, and Dr Ing. Anton Bartolo, of Malta Enterprise.
The final address will be given by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is expected to discuss the implications of a holistic Maltese and European maritime policy for Malta's international relations and, in particular, its role in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
The conference will on Wednesday at the Hilton. Registration begins at 8.30 a.m.; the conference opens at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
Any organisation with an interest in the sea is invited to attend. For further details or to register, e-mail: odette.vella@gov.mt.