Malta Council
29th - 30th November 2025
The Socialist International held its second 2025 Council in St Julian, Malta on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th, 2025. A Presidium meeting preceded the Council on Friday November 28th.
The Council opened by the welcome speeches of the SI General Coordinator Chantal Kambiwa and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta Ian Borg.
Then the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela gave a key note speech, highlighting the importance of bringing together all progressive forces at times when our democracies are challenged by the extreme right.
In his view the answer to this challenge is to present tangible results of good governance, invest in social justice and broaden opportunities for all . His government therefore, is trying to implement progressive policies like free childcare, free public transport and an advanced pension system. Low unemployment and projected growth prove the success of this strategy that also contributed to better wages and decreased corruption.
The President of the Socialist International and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez in his address to delegates from more than 70 parties from around the world , underlined that the traditional right wing is abandoning many of the principles that underpin society and is living a permanent Black Friday. “They put democracy up for sale to cling to power”. But he also pinpointed “history has not been written yet, is not defined by algorithms, it belongs to the people. There is no need Mamdani’s victory in New York to be an exception. He has showed that we can win through hope not through fear. It is the social democratic model that raises salaries, protect the most vulnerable and modernizes the economy without leaving people behind. Whenever progressives govern citizens live better, societies are more stable and democracies are stronger. This is a fact. Non regulated markets don’t protect the people, nationalism does not create opportunities, austerity does not build a future”.
Then the floor was given to the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo.
A moment of high emotion was the ceremony of the Peña Gómez Awards when Prime Minister Abela and SI President Pedro Sanchez awarded for their contribution to peace building the two SI Vice Presidents from Middle East, Colette Avital from Israel and Rawhi Fatush from Palestine.
A third Award was given by the Chair of the Latin America Committee Miguel Vargas to Beatriz Paredes , the emblematic senator and former party leaser from Mexico.
The achievements of progressive parties in practice was the first theme of the Agenda under the title “Leading together - in government we make a difference”. Senator and member of PSOE Executive Javier Izquierda presented with impressive data the accomplishments of the Spanish socialist government followed by John Grech SI Presidium member from Malta , SI VP Manuel Augusto from Angola and Bulgantuyac Khurekbaatar, SI VP from Mongolia.
The Council continued with delegates’ contributions on the theme of Peace “Leading together - multilateral cooperation for peace building”.
Speakers focused on how conflicts affect the political scene in different continents from Africa to Latin America and Asia. The continuing war in Ukraine , the shocking number of civilians killed in Sudan , the military operations in Venezuela were among the subjects raised. An in depth review of the day after the ceasefire in Gaza was presented by Afif Safieh , Fattah representative who in his speech reminded that although there is a ceasefire military activities are still taking place in Gaza where thousands of people are without shelter in winter and without the adequate humanitarian aid. The leader of SI Israeli member party The Democrats, Yair Golan , put emphasis on the need to support the democratic, progressive movement in Israel that can be the only reliable partner for a two state solution.
Following the discussion that took place on Friday November 28 at the Council of the Socialist International Women, many speakers insisted on the need to address gender issues in conflict environments ,a parameter often disregarded by decision makers and international organisations.
The SI continued its initiative to create a space of dialogue between parties from Africa and Latin America under the topic “Africa- Latin America: building bridges facing common challenges”.
Next theme was “Leading together: innovate for promoting inclusive societies “ where speakers had the opportunity to tackle strategies that can address the specific issues that make citizens refrain from be active in policies, highlighting that there is a need to develop specific proposals for each segment of the society.
In the closing session John Grech , member of the SI Presidium and Chair of the Mediterranean Committee presented the Malta Declaration , followed by the speeches of Alex Agius Saliba S&D Vice President , MEP and Deputy Leader of the Partit Laburista and the SI General Coordinator Chantal Kambiwa.
Chantal Kambiwa during the Malta Council presented a detailed report of SI activities since the last Council and explained that 90% of the decisions made have been implemented.
The report of the SIFAC , unanimously adopted by the delegates with voting rights , showed an increasing engagement of members parties reflected in the willingness to pay the fees and find solutions for pending debts.
The Chair of Ethics , Executive SI VP Paulina Lampsa presented the report of the Committee and the unanimous recommendations that were voted by the Council delegates.
Therefore it was decided to accept as observer parties Parti Congolais du Travail (Congo Brazzaville), Al Islah (Mauritania) and Future Movement (Libya).
It was also decided that the SI Mexican member party PRI from its actions and correspondence put itself out of the organisation.
Delegates welcomed warmly the re-engagement in the SI of the National Indian Congress Party , the Labour Party of Ireland and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Party SDLP.
