PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Carmelo Abela elected to IPU Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law

Speaker of the House of Representatives Carmelo Abela has been elected as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law from the 12+ regional group during the 153rd IPU Assembly being held in Arusha, Tanzania.

Speaker Abela's election reflects Malta's longstanding commitment to international humanitarian law, multilateral cooperation and the protection of human dignity, particularly at a time when ongoing conflicts around the world continue to have devastating consequences for civilian populations.

In presenting his candidature, Speaker Abela underlined the important responsibility of parliamentarians in upholding international humanitarian law, holding governments accountable to their international obligations and promoting the protection of civilians affected by armed conflict. He also highlighted Malta's position at the heart of the Mediterranean and its longstanding commitment to dialogue, peaceful cooperation and international solidarity.

Speaker Abela brings to the Committee three decades of parliamentary experience, having first been elected to the House of Representatives in 1996. Throughout his parliamentary career, he has been actively involved in parliamentary diplomacy through various international organisations and fora, including the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He has also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and as Minister for Home Affairs and National Security.

Following his election, Speaker Abela expressed his commitment to placing his parliamentary, ministerial and international experience at the service of the IPU and to contributing actively to the work of the Committee.

He reaffirmed his conviction that parliamentary diplomacy remains an important instrument for dialogue, cooperation and peace, particularly in a global context marked by armed conflict and humanitarian challenges.

Through his membership of the Committee, Speaker Abela will also contribute to the IPU's efforts to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law worldwide and continue the sustained contribution of the Maltese Parliament to the work of the Committee.

The Maltese Parliamentary delegation is composed also of MP Deborah Schembri and MP Bernice Bonello.