The prime minister called for stronger climate action at the COP31 summit in Turkey on Wednesday.
“Let us work together to safeguard the present and future of our peoples,” Abela told the climate change conference in Antalya.
Malta, he said, would continue investing in energy security, renewable energy and climate resilience measures as extreme weather events intensify.
Malta would strengthen its energy security through improvements to the national grid and increase investment in renewable energy projects, including offshore technologies and the potential development of offshore solar photovoltaic installations.
“As climate change and extreme weather continue to accelerate, Malta will keep reinforcing its energy security through grid upgrades and greater investment in renewable energy,” he said, noting that such projects would not only improve climate resilience but also provide access to cleaner sources of energy.
He stressed that climate resilience must remain at the heart of government policy.
Malta would continue developing its National Climate Resilience Plan in 2027, he said, with targeted actions covering 10 sectors considered particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks.
“These include critical infrastructure such as energy, water, healthcare, transport and food security. We must prepare effectively for this reality through targeted action in every sector,” he said.
The prime minister reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and contributing to global efforts aimed at reducing the impact of climate change.
He said the government was also implementing a range of measures to help households and businesses navigate the green transition, highlighting investment in shore-to-ship power infrastructure as an example of efforts to promote a more sustainable maritime economy.
Abela also underlined Malta’s role on the international stage as an advocate for countries vulnerable to rising sea levels. He said the government would continue prioritising assistance for small island states that face common geographical and climate-related challenges.
Malta, he said, was calling for climate-related financing that is accessible to the states that are most vulnerable,” he said.
He recalled how a Maltese initiative in 1988 had declared climate change a common concern of humanity. That principle remained as relevant today as ever, he said.
“Nearly 40 years later, I urge all of us to continue advancing in that direction at COP31 and to demonstrate that multilateralism remains the best tool for confronting this threat. Let us give our peoples what they deserve,” he said.
Concluding his address, Abela appealed for collective action, stating: “Let us work together to safeguard the present and the future.”
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