Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541557
THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS WISTA MALTA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED, MARKING A NEW CHAPTER FOR WOMEN IN THE MARITIME SECTOR ALKAGESTA PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE INITIATIVE The maritime industry in Malta has reached an important milestone with the official launch of WISTA Malta, the national chapter of the Women's Inter- national Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). The organization unites professionals from across the maritime, logistics, shipping, and trading sectors, with a mission to strengthen women's roles, expand networking opportunities, and encourage leadership in an industry historically dominated by men. WISTA Malta becomes part of a glob- al network present in more than 50 countries, working to promote equal representation, professional develop- ment, and international cooperation. Its establishment reflects the growing visibility of women in maritime pro- fessions and the industry's collective commitment to supporting diversity, innovation, and sustainable growth. The launch forum gathered representa- tives from shipping companies, logistics firms, legal and consulting services, as well as academic institutions. Discussions focused on operational challenges, evolving market dynamics, talent development, and the impor- tance of creating a more inclusive and forward-looking maritime environment. Alkagesta supported the event, recog- nizing the importance of the themes raised and the long-term value such platforms bring to the industry. The company participated in the forum, introduced its maritime and trading op- erations, including new projects under Alkanavex and engaged with profes- sionals and universities interested in future collaboration. For Alkagesta, backing WISTA Malta re- flects a consistent belief: initiatives that unite expertise, expand opportunities, and empower emerging talent are vital for the sector's progress. The company remains committed to supporting ef- forts that strengthen Malta's position as a dynamic, inclusive maritime hub. About WISTA Malta WISTA Malta is part of the interna- tional WISTA network, active in over 62 countries. The association focuses on supporting women in maritime trading, transport, chartering, logis- tics, maritime law, and related sectors. Its mission is to foster professional development, facilitate international networking, and strengthen the role of women at all levels of the maritime industry -from technical experts to corporate leadership. Alkagesta recognizes the significance of WISTA's work and is committed to contributing to its development in Malta, helping to elevate the country's maritime community both locally and globally. About Alkagesta Alkagesta is a global commodity trading house specializing in petrole- um products, fertilizers, and biofuels. Established in Malta in 2018, the com- pany operates as a multinational en- terprise with 17 offices and representa- tions worldwide. Alkagesta maintains partnerships with 28 international banks and conducts trading activities across 42 countries, facilitating over 7 million metric tons of commodity flows annually. Its extensive logistics network includes access to more than 700,000 cubic meters of storage capac- ity across Europe and Asia, supporting efficient and resilient global supply chains. Work in progress: No timeline for independent human rights authority THE prime minister reiterated government's commitment to set up an independent human rights authority but gave no timeline for it when replying to a parliamentary question. "Government will continue working to set up an an in- dependent authority that fo- cusses only on the protection of human rights," Robert Abela said when replying to a PQ by Opposition MP Graziella At- tard Previ. Abela insisted his govern- ment had carried out "unprec- edented reforms" to strength- en equality and the respect of human rights. "It was this gov- ernment that created the Di- rectorate for Human Rights to work on policies that strength- en equality in the country," he said. Abela added that so far, the protection of human rights is provided by the Constitutional Court that has offered several remedies over the years when- ever it found a breach. The setting up of an independ- ent human rights authority was an election pledge that remains unfulfilled. Additionally, Malta is one of the very few member states of the EU and the Coun- cil of Europe that has not yet established a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in accordance with the UN's Paris Principles. Earlier this year, the govern- ment dismissed a legislative proposal by Ombudsman Jo- seph Zammit McKeon to inco- porate the NHRI within the Of- fice of the Ombudsman rather than creating a separate entity. In many EU member states, the functions of NHRIs are part and parcel of the Office of the Ombudsman thus ensuring a more effective way of dealing with issues that concern funda- mental freedoms. The Paris Principles that govern NHRIs allow countries to tailor their human rights authority to fit their respec- tive legal, social and political contexts. The Office of the Ombudsman in Malta is finan- cially independent from the executive, responds to parlia- ment, and the Ombudsman is appointed by a two-thirds ma- jority in parliament and enjoys security of tenure—character- istics that make it ideal to serve as the national human rights authority. Zammit McKeon had pre- sented government with an actual bill to replace existing legislation that would refound the Office of the Ombudsman not only as a watchdog on pub- lic administration but also as a promoter of human rights. Two bills tabled in parlia- ment between 2017 and 2022 had proposed the introduction of equality legislation and the creation of a human rights and equality commission. Although the discussion on the bills had started the bills never became law by the time parliament was dissolved in February 2022 when Malta went to a general election. As a result all pending bills before parliament lapsed and in the current legislature the Equality Bill and another one to set up the human rights au- thority were never tabled. KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt Ombudsman Joseph Zammit McKeon has proposed that the independent human rights authority would be part of the Ombudsman's remit but government has dismissed this suggestion