The President of Malta delivers the first Arvid Pardo Memorial Lecture at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji

H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco, President of Malta, today delivered the first Arvid Pardo Memorial Lecture, at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, as part of the 27^th edition of the Pacem in Maribus Conference, which is currently underway.

In his speech, the President stressed the need for a radical transformation in the role of the Trusteeship Council, an initiative which he had proposed in his concluding statement as President of the forty-fifth Session of the UN General Assembly. Prof. de Marco explained the philosophy that the Trusteeship Council should hold in trust not only territories but also peoples.

"We believe that the Trusteeship Council must be the focal point for that co-ordination which pre-empts tensions while securing the commonwealth of present and future generations," Prof. de Marco said.

The Special Public Lecture was chaired by the deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Fiji, the Hon. Dr Tupeni Lebaivalu Baba and was attended by various members of the Fijian cabinet and ambassadors accredited to Fiji.

In his introductory speech, Dr Baba highlighted the success of a small state such as Malta through the high calibre of its statements. Proof of this, he added, was given when Malta was awarded the prestigious position of President of the 45^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The deputy Prime Minister of Fiji also praised the concepts expounded by the President in his lecture.

The President returns to Malta on Thursday 11^th November.