During the annual conference of the International Association Lions Clubs Walled Cities that took place in San Marino on 17th September, Mary Anne Abela was selected as President of this association.

The International Association Lions Clubs Walled Cities was formed in Lucca Italy in 2004 by the late Franco Ghio, who was then the President of Lions Club Lucca. The aim of this association was to bring together Lions Clubs coming from Wall Cities to discuss and exchange ideas on how to maintain and restore the city walls that are a masterpiece of our cultural heritage.

Mary Anne Abela, on behalf of Lions Club Mdina, was one of the seven founder members of this association.  Besides Lions Club Lucca and Lions Club Mdina from Malta, there were other Lions Clubs from Avila, Spain, Carcasson and Avignon, France and San Marino.

Since then, this Association has grown to more than 200 Lions Clubs from 4 different continents.

Every year this conference is held in a different city to showcase the locality to all members. Malta has already hosted this conference in 2011 and in 2018 and both occasions were very well attended.

In an address to the delegates after her selection, Mary Anne Abela committed herself to consolidate the international aspect of this association and encourage more foreign Lions Clubs to participate in these conventions.