The Parliament of Malta hosted a special plenary session to commemorate World Food Day 2025, organised in collaboration with the Malta Food Agency and featuring distinguished speakers from across Malta and abroad. The event highlighted the nation’s ongoing commitment to sustainable food systems, community wellbeing, and Malta’s unique culinary heritage.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by the Speaker of the House, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, followed by an address from Justin John Camilleri, Chief Business Development Officer at the Malta Food Agency, who set the tone for the day’s discussions on food governance and sustainability.
Throughout the plenary, keynote and guest speakers explored the essential connection between food policy, community solidarity, environmental responsibility, and Malta’s evolving culinary identity. Contributors included:
Mr. Sharlo Camilleri – Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights
Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon – Parliamentary Ombudsman
Mr. Josef Pace – Caritas Services Coordinator
Perit David Xuereb – Chairperson, MCESD (video message)
Chef Marvin Gauci – Ambassador for Gastronomy of Malta
Professor Simone Borg – Ambassador for Climate Action
Mr. Carlo Micallef – CEO, Malta Tourism Authority
Mr. Liam Gauci – Chairman, Taste History
These contributions underscored the multi-sectoral dimension of food systems and the shared responsibility in ensuring their resilience and sustainability.
The session concluded with a closing address by Mr. Brian Vella, CEO of the Malta Food Agency. Final interventions were delivered by representatives of the CNA Italia Delegation, Hon. Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Hon. Alicia Bugeja Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Hon. Toni Bezzina, Shadow Minister for Transport, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Hon. Rebekah Borg, Shadow Minister for the Environment.
Formal closing remarks were then provided by the Speaker of the House, bringing the event to a close.
This special plenary session reaffirmed Malta’s dedication to strengthening sustainable food systems, supporting community wellbeing, and preserving the island’s rich culinary heritage in alignment with global World Food Day objectives.
