Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1509516
2 NEWS 12.10.2023 FROM PAGE 1 In a short speech, in which she condemned the attacks Metsola said Hamas was a terrorist organisation and it does not represent the "legiti- mate aspirations of the Pales- tinian people". "They do not offer solutions. They offer bloodshed. This is not the time for 'whata- boutism'. This is terror in its worst form," Metsola said. The event which lasted a few minutes was in remem- brance of the victims killed by Hamas militants inside Israel following a multipronged co- ordinated attack on villages around Gaza on Saturday. The attacks left almost 1,200 people dead and more than 3,000 injured. Around 150 people were also abducted and are being held hostage in undisclosed whereabouts in Gaza. "October 7 is a day that will go down in global infamy; the world has witnessed Jews be- ing murdered simply because they were Jewish," Metsola said, condemning the act of terrorism and demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. Turning to the Israeli am- bassador, Metsola said Eu- rope was standing in solidari- ty with Israel. "This is Europe and we stand with you," she said to applause. Figures released by the Is- raeli authorities show that 1,200 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured as Hamas gunmen ran riot through Israeli communities last Saturday. As the full extent of the at- tacks emerged over the past couple of days, the Israeli De- fence Force discovered a bru- tal massacre in the kibbutz community of Kfar Azza. Women, children, toddlers and elderly were among the people butchered in the kib- butz. Additionally, almost 300 young people were killed when Hamas militants gate- crashed an open-air rave par- ty. Israel responded to this deadliest attack ever on its territory by Hamas with a re- lentless bombing campaign on Gaza that has left more than 1,000 people dead. Israel is preparing for a ground inva- sion of the Palestinian enclave and is massing troops out- side Gaza's boundary. Some 300,000 reservist troops have been called up. Meanwhile, Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the bombing campaign and Israel's decision to enforce a blockade and stop all essen- tial supplies from crossing into the territory. The EU's topmost officials were joined by the Israeli ambassador to the EU in a solemn ceremony outside the European Parliament to show solidarity with the victims of Hamas's attacks in Israel (Photo: European Parliament) 'Not the time for whataboutism, this is terror in its worst form,' Metsola says of Hamas attacks THE MFSA's Financial Supervisors Academy hosted a highly successful Sus- tainable Finance Conference on 10 Oc- tober. e conference, held at the Corin- thia St. George's Bay, brought together esteemed scholars, industry leaders, and regulatory authorities to delve into critical topics surrounding sustainable finance and the green transition. e event kicked off with opening re- marks from Kenneth Farrugia, CEO of the MFSA, and H.E. Katherine Ward, the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Malta who emphasised the importance of sustainable finance in shaping a greener and more sustainable financial future. During his intervention, Mr Farrugia highlighted the key role that the financial system has to play in reori- enting private capital to more sustaina- ble investments. He remarked: "Public support will not be enough. We need a strong Capital Markets Union to mobilise the flow of private money to support the green tran- sition. Sustainable finance is a tool to in- crease private investments in sustainable projects." Farrugia also highlighted the role of the MFSA in providing guidance and support to the industry on sustaina- bility issues. Keynote speeches included insights from prominent figures in the field. Iñi- go Arruga Oleaga, Adviser at DG Legal Services of the European Central Bank, discussed the ECB's efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in sus- tainability, while Steve Ellul, CEO of Pro- ject Green, examined the opportunities and challenges of transforming Malta into a green hub. Other keynote speak- ers included Marco Bodellini from the University of Luxembourg, Perit David Xuereb from the Malta Council for Eco- nomic and Social Development, Maria Cauchi Delia from the Malta Institute of Accountants, as well as Lorraine Vella and Sarah Pulis from the MFSA. e conference featured engaging pan- el discussions on Malta's effort to move towards a green economy as well as on disclosure and reporting. e panellists shared their insights and recommen- dations on how Malta can leverage its strengths and address its weaknesses in achieving its green goals. e conference concluded with clos- ing remarks by Christopher P. Buttigieg, Chief Officer Supervision at the Malta Financial Services Authority. "Sustain- able finance has an important role in shaping a better future for all. e MFSA is dedicated to leading the way in ad- vancing sustainable finance in Malta. is conference played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and collaboration on the path toward a more sustainable fi- nancial system, which is aligned with the EU's ambitious agenda on climate action and environmental protection." e next event to be organised by the Financial Supervisors Academy is the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation Conference on 16 November 2023, where over 25 industry experts and reg- ulators will discuss the latest develop- ments and challenges in the crypto-as- sets space. e Financial Supervisors Academy (FSA) is an initiative of the MFSA that aims to enhance the skills and knowl- edge of its staff. It also extends its train- ing programmes to other local and inter- national regulators, supervisors, policy makers, academics and the financial in- dustry. Successful Sustainable Finance Conference explores green transition, financial sustainability From left – Joseph Portelli - Malta Stock Exchange; Marcel Cassar – APS Bank; George Vella – FinanceMalta; Gordon Cordina – Bank of Valletta; Perit David Xuereb – MCESD; Alex Azzopardi – KPMG