Prime Minister in talks with UN secretary general

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has pledged Malta’s active participation during a UN high-level meeting on refugees and migrants scheduled for September.

In a meeting with United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-Moon, Muscat said Malta will be sharing its experiences, contributions and suggestions on migration even though the arrivals on the island have drastically dropped.

Muscat briefed Ban on his recent visit to Jordan and Lebanon, relaying how the two countries felt they were being left alone to face irregular migration.

He reiterated that help should be given to both refugees and countries burdened by the influx of migrants.

Discussed preparations and prospects for @UN #Migration Conference with SG Ban Ki Moon -JM #Malta pic.twitter.com/6enssnknYu

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) April 23, 2016

The United Nations decided to convene the high-level meeting during last year’s UN general assembly session.

US President Barack Obama will host a related summit, on 20 September. The US and others will seek to secure new commitments towards: increased and sustained support for UN humanitarian appeals; greater opportunities for resettlement; and expanded opportunities for refugee self-reliance through access to education, legal employment, and other measures.

Muscat and Ban also discussed the ongoing situation in Libya.

The two met on the margins of a UN summit during which over 165 countries signed the Paris treaty declaration to combat climate change.

Ban Ki Moon was in Malta last November during a meeting of the Commonwealth to push forward climate change and help secure a stronger position amongst leader ahead of the Paris summit in December.