【Photo Diary】 (3) Visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta
Published on February 20, 2023
I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta between January 22 and 28, 2023, as chairman of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
[January 27, Valletta, Malta]
With President George Vella of the Republic of Malta. I invited him to attend a summit of island nations The Nippon Foundation plans to organize in Japan in November 2024 to discuss ocean issues including plastic litter, ocean warming, acidification and rising sea levels that are impacting those countries most directly. Mr. Vella welcomed the invitation, stressing the importance of addressing those ocean issues.
Meeting with students studying at the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta under The Nippon Foundation’s fellowship program.
The foundation has supported about 10 fellows each year since 2003. The IMLI was established in 1988 to enhance capacity-building in all states, particularly developing countries, to contribute to promoting safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation.
With Professor Norman A. Martínez Gutiérrez, director of IMLI.
Meeting with Professor David Attard, former IMLI director, for the first time in 20 years. Before he was succeeded by Professor Martínez Gutiérrez in July 2022, he served as IMLI chief for 30 years and was at the vanguard of tackling ocean issues.
With 45-year-old Prime Minister Robert Abela of Malta.
He said he supports Malta’s participation in the summit of island states The Nippon Foundation plans to organize in Japan in November 2024 to send the voices of those countries to the international community.
After a meeting with the prime minister, it was so cold outside that I put on this coat and scarf.
The republic of Malta is a small island state in the middle of Mediterranean Sea directly south of Italy and north of Libya.
