PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Courtesy call by the Executive Director of the Counter Terrorism Committee within the United Nations, Dr Natalia Gherman

President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono had a courtesy meeting with the Executive Director of the Counter Terrorism Committee within the United Nations, Dr Natalia Gherman.

Dr Gherman expressed her gratitude to Malta for offering to contribute and host a pivotal conference that marks a new chapter in the fight against terrorism; UN Conference counter-terrorism strategies. This conference led to the adoption of the Valletta Principles, a groundbreaking document that will guide UN member states in formulating counter-terrorism strategies that reflect the evolving landscape of global events, in the coming years.

Reflecting on the outdated nature of previous guidelines, Dr Gherman emphasised the need for a robust, modern document that will be instrumental in helping nations, to devise effective strategies for combating terrorism.

The Executive Director also shared her appreciation for Malta’s unwavering support in the areas of human rights, the rule of law, and the fight against terrorism. Malta’s leadership, particularly during its UNSC and OSCE chairmanship, has proven vital in navigating complex international challenges, culminating in a successful ministerial conference that further solidified Malta’s role in promoting peace and security.

Regarding Malta's progress, Dr Gherman acknowledged the country’s efforts to implement numerous UN resolutions, particularly in areas like anti-money laundering. She noted that Malta’s cooperation with various ministries, including the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finance, Interior, and Justice, have been instrumental in executing concrete cases that have been praised for their coordination and training.

Looking ahead, Dr Gherman said she was looking forward to collaborating further with Malta within the United Nations forum, especially on initiatives related to Women, Peace, and Security, and will also continue to work closely with Malta in supporting the country’s efforts as the President of the Council of Europe between May and December.

The President thanked Dr Gherman for her contribution and said that Malta is fully committed to build on the multilateral work done over the past two years and will be actively engaged in setting an example to other nations to promote the best practices in the field of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism.