Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici has initiated a public consultation process concerning a proposed draft management plan for Valletta, which holds the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting on December 20, 2023, and spanning eight weeks until February 22, 2024, interested parties are invited to review and provide input on the proposed draft Valletta management plan.
Minister Bonnici unveiled the document, a collaborative effort by a team of experts spanning several months. The formulation of a management plan for Valletta is a prerequisite outlined by UNESCO for all sites enlisted in the World Heritage List.
Significantly, this Management Plan, once finalised, will be the first one for Valletta. The proposal is organised into seven chapters, with the seventh delineating the framework for forthcoming years’ action plans.
Addressing the press, Minister Bonnici explained that the management plan addresses elements falling under the definition of ‘outstanding universal values’, designating Valletta as a unique heritage of humanity. These include the city’s authenticity, integrity, and the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of its community. Emphasising that the community serves as the focal point of this plan, Minister Bonnici stressed its alignment with UNESCO’s recommendations. The overarching objective is to ensure the conservation and preservation of Valletta’s historic essence while upholding its status as a dynamic and vibrant centre within our nation, a characteristic it has maintained since its inception.
Individuals interested in contributing to the public consultation process can access the document via the following website: https://www.gov.mt/mt/publicconsultation/Pages/default.aspx. Feedback and suggestions can be submitted through email at valletta.unesco@gov.mt or by post at 21, Archbishop Street, Valletta.
