UNESCO Approves Valletta’s Conservation Report As Government Rejects Opposition ‘Alarmism’
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has officially accepted Malta’s State of Conservation Report for Valletta, reaffirming the capital’s status as a recognised World Heritage Site.
The report, which assessed Valletta’s cultural and environmental management, was one of 248 evaluated during the committee’s 47th session held in Paris between 6th and 16th July. It was prepared by Valletta’s Site Manager, with contributions from various stakeholders, and reviewed by ICOMOS – the advisory body to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.
In its decision, the committee welcomed several key steps taken by Malta, including the adoption of Valletta’s Management Plan, the Views and Vistas Analysis (VVA), and the establishment of a Buffer Zone around the city. It also commended the government’s implementation of Heritage Impact Assessments for projects that could affect the historic site.
In particular, the committee encouraged Malta to continue strengthening these processes by considering the indirect and cumulative effects of both ongoing and future developments – whether within the World Heritage site itself or its Buffer Zone.
The Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government described the outcome as a positive reflection of Malta’s close collaboration with UNESCO. It stated that discussions had now shifted from shortcomings to strengthening existing protection mechanisms for cultural heritage.
The government also pushed back against recent claims by the Opposition that Valletta’s UNESCO status may be at risk. It criticised what it called an “alarmist” and “negative” narrative, pointing out that the UNESCO report made no such assertion.
Unlike many other sites that were asked to submit another report within the year, Malta was given a longer timeframe – with its next report due by 1st December 2026. The government said this extended deadline was a sign of confidence in the country’s heritage management efforts.
Malta was represented at the session by its Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, accompanied by officials from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government.