The role of the Malta Public Service in advancing sustainable development
Implementing sustainable policies and achieving measurable outcomes
Malta ranks 24th out of 167 countries, with a score of 79.3% in the recently published Sustainable Development Report 2025, a notable improvement from its 36th place and 77% score in 2024. This 12-place leap highlights Malta’s growing effectiveness in implementing sustainable policies and achieving measurable outcomes.
In September 2015, Malta joined the global community in adopting the United Nation’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, committing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Since then, Malta has made significant strides in translating these global ambitions into national actions. At the heart of this transformation is the Public Service, which plays a leading role in implementing the SDGs across government operations. This effort is underpinned by the Sustainable Development Act, a legislative framework that embeds sustainability into public administration and promotes inter-ministerial collaboration.
Since 2019, the Malta Public Service has taken a proactive role in aligning the annual budgetary measures with the SDGs
Two strategic documents guide Malta’s long-term vision: the Sustainable Development Vision for 2050, launched in 2018, and the Sustainable Development Strategy for 2050, published in 2024. Together, they provide a roadmap for integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of national development. Since 2019, the Malta Public Service has taken a proactive role in aligning the annual budgetary measures with the SDGs. This strategic alignment has significantly strengthened transparency, accountability, and policy coherence, ensuring a balanced approach to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. By embedding the SDGs into the national budgeting process, Malta has institutionalised a forward-looking governance model that places sustainable development at its core.
The Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness (MEEC) is the Competent Authority overseeing the national sustainable development agenda. The Sustainable Development Directorate within the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MEEC plays a central role in coordinating efforts across ministries and stakeholders, ensuring a unified and strategic approach.
In few weeks, Malta will be presenting the second Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York on the 21st of July 2025. Developed through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, the VNR involved all ministries, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and citizens. It showcases Malta’s achievements while identifying areas for further improvement across the social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Acknowledging that sustainable development is a collective effort that depends on the commitment and collaboration of all the individuals and sectors of society, the MEEC has launched the first edition of Malta’s Sustainable Development Action Awards.
Malta’s Sustainable Development Action Awards are open to individuals, voluntary organisations, journalists, young people, schools, academics, public institutions and businesses.
Applications are open until August 8, 2025. For more information visit sustainabledevelopment.gov.mt.