On the 8 March, Women's Day, Prof. Simone Borg, Head of the Department of Environmental and Resources Law was awarded the British High Commission’s inaugural Women and Girls Inspirational Leadership Award. The award is in line with the UK government's commitment towards empowering women and recognising contributions that make a difference, across a range of causes.
Prof Borg received the award in recognition of her work as a pioneering female that is helping to shape Malta’s response to Climate Change, both as a university professor and as Malta’s Climate Ambassador. Prof Borg expressed her deep gratitude to the British High Commission for such an honour and foregrounded the necessity of aiming towards decarbonization. She expressed her support for the UK as President of COP 26 and the hands on perspective of the Glasgow Pact.
The British High Commissioner also highlighted the fact that safeguarding the environment, as well as the planet as a whole, are core values which are close to the UK government's heart. He also commended Prof Borg's efforts, describing her as being "an inspiration to the next generation of Maltese girls -- who will hopefully continue to fight for the cause [she is] passionate about."
She highlighted the importance of bilateralism and multilateralism in climate diplomacy, factors which are supported by academic literature. Prof Borg vowed to keep working for a just, green transition and dedicated the award to the individuals who are supporting this endeavour across multiple sectors: the government, the private sector, as well as the realm of academia. Last but not least. she also dedicated the award to all the women and girls who act as driving forces in their continual struggle towards societal reform, especially the Ukrainian and Russian girls and women who are the victims of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.