The government’s decision to appoint Phyllis Muscat to head the National Task Force for the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta has raised eyebrows over her lack of diplomatic experience.
This is Ms Muscat’s second role on a government board since May, when she was appointed to chair a coordinating board for cultural projects.
Ms Muscat is the director of PHBS Limited and Biocare Limited, which employs 40 people, and specialises in the retail of cosmetic products, especially make-up.
During the last election she worked behind the scenes to coordinate the Labour Party campaign.
However, question marks have been raised over her lack of experience in the field. When Malta last hosted CHOGM in 2005, the task force was headed by Salv Stellini, a senior ambassador with more than 30 years experience.
In a statement the government yesterday said Ms Muscat would be responsible for planning and coordinating CHOGM, which will attract 50 heads of government, members of the Royal Family, together with business people, youngsters and civil society from all over the Commonwealth.
Sources said such a role primarily involved diplomatic exchanges with ambassadors of Commonwealth countries and government delegations.
In some cases one has to tread on thin ice, such as when dealing with Pakistan and India, who are not the best of neighbours
On a diplomatic level, the head of the CHOGM task force will also be expected to contribute when it comes to the final declaration of the summit.
“In some cases one has to tread on thin ice, such as when dealing with Pakistan and India, who are not the best of neighbours,” the sources said.
From a logistical point of view, the event will have to be coordinated through regular meetings at Marlborough House in London, to ensure that proceedings are held in conformity with the Guidance Notes on the Organisation of CHOGM, which is also known as ‘the blue book’.
The task force will also take care of the accommodation of around 3,500 guests including high-level delegations, as well as a number of events held at the margins of the summit itself, like the Business Forum and the Youth Forum.
Security will also pose a big challenge for the organisers.
Though the government has not yet divulged whether Ms Muscat will be employed on a full-time basis, in the six months preceding the 2005 summit no fewer than 200 part-time employees and around 15 full-timers were involved in the preparations.
Ms Muscat has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the Malta-US Chamber of Commerce and sat on the executive committee of the Malta Association of Women in Business.
She is also active in the social sphere in the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation.