STRASBOURG, 29 October – Hon. Alison Zerafa Civelli, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government of Malta, addressed the 49th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, speaking on behalf of Malta’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
In her intervention, the Parliamentary Secretary outlined the Presidency’s priorities and highlighted key initiatives carried out both in Malta and in Strasbourg over the six-month term. She placed particular emphasis on the central role of young people in democratic life, stressing that their engagement “must extend across every level of government” and that young people should be “dedicated drivers of positive change and essential partners in shaping the future of European democracy.”
Hon. Zerafa Civelli also underscored the Presidency’s steadfast support for Ukraine. She recalled the signature of the Bilateral Agreement establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, as well as the Committee of Ministers’ consensus decision to approve the draft Convention for the creation of an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.
The Parliamentary Secretary further highlighted three Ministerial meetings hosted in Malta during the Presidency, each intended to reflect a shared commitment “to translate our values into action, and to ensure that the Council of Europe continues to stand as a beacon of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law – across our continent and beyond.”
Her address came as the Congress prepared to vote on the Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life — a key policy instrument that received broad support earlier this month during the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, held in Valletta, Malta.
During her visit, Hon. Zerafa Civelli also held bilateral meetings, including with the President of the Congress, Mr Marc Cools, and took part in a roundtable discussion focused on youth participation and the importance of empowering younger generations to shape Europe’s democratic future.
Mr Olaf McKay, Mayor of Valletta, also addressed the 49th session of Congress during a debate on addressing housing crisis in European cities.