Professor Kristian Zarb Adami has been appointed as Chairperson of the National Commission for UNESCO in Malta, the Ministry for Culture, Lands, and Local Government stated on Friday.
The ministry said that the National Commission aims to advance UNESCO’s mission in favour of promoting peace and security through international cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture. It added that the appointment was made by Minister Owen Bonnici.
It described Zarb Adami as one of Malta’s most distinguished scientists, as it commented that he is renowned for his contributions to the design of radio telescopes, particularly through his role in the global Square Kilometre Array project. It added that Zarb Adami is also the founding director of the Institute for Space Sciences and Astronomy at the University of Malta, in addition to holding joint academic positions with the University of Oxford and the University of Catania.
Beyond astronomical science, the ministry said that Zarb Adami is also the co-founder of a digital healthcare company which uses artificial intelligence to identify and monitor degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s at an early stage.
Going over the new board, the ministry said that it consists of six experts, with there being two for each of UNESCO’s three core fields of culture, education, and science.
Aside from Chairperson Zarb Adami, the board consists of members Francis J Sultana, Christopher Briffa, Mirana Agius Silvio, Francesco Debono, Rachel Abela, and Chris Barbara, as well as Secretary General Luisana D’Amato and Secretary of the Board Matthew Mallia.
Minister Bonnici said that the Malta National Commission will work to strengthen cooperation between governmental and non-governmental entities in the three aforementioned fields. He added that it will ensure the active participation of Maltese professionals in UNESCO initiatives.
The ministry concluded that the UNESCO Statute encourages all member states to establish a National Commission to act as a bridge between national institutions and the organisation, as it added that these commissions ensure that national voices are represented in the formulation and implementation of UNESCO’s programmes, in addition to assisting in the dissemination of information.