“Only by acknowledging diversity can we actively take a stand towards acceptance, inclusion and empowerment of all segments of society”, said President of Malta George Vella while addressing heads of state and leaders of international organisations at the World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All, organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The President said that to allow everyone to fulfil their full potential, we have to make every effort to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights to all and to create the necessary conditions in our domestic environment, including legislative action. “In terms of social cohesion, Governments play a vital role by recognising that it is crucial for continued economic growth and the betterment of their respective countries”, the President stated.
President Vella also spoke on women’s crucial role in society and expressed his belief that the momentum gained to overcome the gender pay gap and to secure women’s rights should serve as a powerful inspiration for leaders to review the pace of progress and ensure that Governments make steadfast commitments to achieving gender equality within our lifetime.
Referring to Malta’s employment sector, President Vella said that Malta will continue to work on elements from the Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, in particular by taking a human-centred approach to reforms related to the world of work. On an international level, the President underscored that only by working together and in solidarity with each other can we successfully confront emerging challenges.
“Multilateralism is not an option, but a necessity as we strive to build back better for a more equal, more resilient, and more sustainable world. Only through collective action, we can truly recover together. For this reason, the ILO’s mandate has become more relevant than ever before”.
In his speech, President Vella stated that fostering equitable and open-ended inclusive learning pathways, supporting lifelong learning for all, and investing in human capital through the emergence of a skilled labour market are three important pillars to strengthen economic progress, which takes into account our social wellbeing and equal rights for all.
On the margins of the World of Work Summit, President Vella also held a meeting with Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization. The discussion centred on social justice, with the President underlining the need for credibility in the delivery of basic needs and services. Implementation is crucial in this respect. Both agreed on the importance on elevating the international political debate on social justice.
The President also met with Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, with whom the discussion focused on the worrying global situation of refugees, with numbers having doubled in ten years. The reasons at the heart of the problem vary from war, demographics, inequalities, arms supply and climate change. They also held a very detailed discussion on Libya and Tunisia migration scenarios. Mr Grandi thanked Malta for the cooperation and coordination between the UNHCR Malta and the Maltese authorities.
President Vella also held separate meetings with Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, with discussions focusing on sizeable Bangladeshi community in Malta and increased collaboration within the Commonwealth, and with Najla Bouden, Prime Minister of Tunisia, with the two interlocutors referring to the current regional challenges especially the unfolding migration situation in Tunisia.
Photos: OPR
