High Commissioner Matt Skelly and Public Diplomacy Officer Ms Lola Wilkinson, visited the Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) on Thursday 10 July, meeting facilitated by the International Office of the University of Malta. The ISSI and Australia have a long-standing collaboration on teaching, research and training, featuring partnerships with Australian National University (ANU), Monash University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Sunshine Coast, among others.

High Commissioner Skelly and Prof. Moncada discussed the central role that both Malta within the EU and Australia within the Pacific region can play to champion the interest of islands and small states. Prof. Moncada expressed ISSI’s full support to Australia in the bid to host COP 31, which for the first time will see many Pacific Island States cooperating together to co-organise such an important climate change governance event.

High Commissioner Skelly and ISSI representatives also discussed possible future collaborations, including the screening of an Australian based climate change related documentary on Campus, and further exchange visits of academic and research staff.

The photo shows (left to right) Prof. Roderick Pace (ISSI board member) Prof. Stefano Moncada (ISSI Director) Prof. Frank Bezzina (ISSI Chair), High Commissioner Skelly, Ms Lola Wilkinson and ISSI PhD student Justin Whittle.

To follow the research activities of the ISSI, please visit their website online.

Malta, 10 July 2024 - For further details/interviews please contact Prof. Stefano Moncada on +356 23402117