The Nationalist Party on Saturday expressed its serious concern over the report by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which confirms what the PN has been insisting on for many years: that Malta's Local Plans and other planning policies need to be updated to reflect the environmental, demographic, economic, social and cultural changes of the past 20 years, and to effectively protect and safeguard our unique historical and architectural heritage, including the Capital City.
Valletta is at risk of losing its World Heritage status due to lack of leadership by the Government. A serious Heritage Impact Assessment must be carried out, and a comprehensive report submitted by 1 December 2026, the PN said.
The fact that UNESCO is condemning the lack of control over building heights, excessive tourism pressure, and the absence of an effective buffer zone around Valletta, is further confirmation of a Government that:
lacks a serious plan for managing national heritage;
prioritises the interests of a few businesspeople over the common good and the Valletta community;
is losing the trust of the people and of international institutions such as UNESCO.
The Evans Building case confirms this attitude of the Labour Government, which is ignoring residents' calls for the building to be used for social and cultural purposes. It also confirms a serious lack of transparency and public consultation by the Government.
This same attitude of disrespect towards national and world heritage by the Labour Government has also been seen in the treatment of other sites of national importance such as the Ġgantija Temples, in Għajn Tuffieħa, and now in Valletta.
Just as the Partit Nazzjonalista was clear on Ġgantija - that a UNESCO-protected site should not be besieged by developments that diminish its value and significance - so too it now appeals to the Government to take this report with the utmost seriousness.
The Partit Nazzjonalista believes there is an urgent and fundamental need to change the way the Government treats everything that defines who we are:
Immediate revision of Local Plans to eliminate misinterpretations of building heights, define clear buffer zones, and reflect a strategic vision for Valletta and its surrounding areas;
Holistic implementation of UNESCO's recommendations, including the policy on the skyline;
Full transparency in public land concessions, in line with principles of good governance;
Suspension, review, or revocation of concessions until it is ensured that public consultation is held and that obligations are being met;
Drafting of a national cultural heritage management plan that involves communities, experts, and all stakeholders.
The Labour Government's policy of directionless governance and aggressive commercialisation of our heritage is endangering Valletta's status as a World Heritage Site.
The Partit Nazzjonalista, consistently, is showing that it has the vision and the courage to put forward concrete proposals based on good governance, public participation, and the cultural protection of our country - for us and for future generations.
Valletta is not just a city - it is the heart of our nation. If we do not act now, we risk losing a part of our identity forever, the PN said.
Government replies
The Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government expressed regret over what it described as alarmist tactics by the Opposition, particularly regarding Valletta's UNESCO World Heritage status. The Ministry firmly denied Opposition claims that Valletta's designation is at risk, noting that such assertions are not supported by UNESCO's recent report.
In a statement, the Ministry clarified that Valletta's State of Conservation Report was one of 248 reports assessed during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Paris from July 6 to 16 under the Bulgarian presidency.
The report, originally requested in 2023 and updated in 2024, was prepared by Valletta's Site Manager with input from multiple stakeholders. It was reviewed by ICOMOS, the advisory body to the World Heritage Centre, before being presented to the Committee.
According to the Ministry, the Committee welcomed Malta's Management Plan for Valletta, the Views and Vistas Analysis, and the delineation of a buffer zone around the capital. It also acknowledged the implementation of Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) for major projects that could affect the site's integrity. These assessments had all been submitted to the World Heritage Centre.
More specifically, the Committee commended Malta's preparation of HIAs for large-scale projects and encouraged the country to further strengthen this process, the government said. It advised Malta to consider the indirect and cumulative impacts of ongoing and planned developments both within the heritage site and its buffer zone.
The Ministry highlighted that this outcome reflects a very positive relationship between Malta and UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, shifting the dialogue from addressing deficiencies to enhancing already established safeguarding mechanisms.
As evidence of this strong collaboration, the Ministry noted that while many other sites were asked to submit a new State of Conservation Report within a year, Malta was given an 18-month deadline - until December 1, 2026 - for its next report on Valletta.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to continue building on the significant progress made in protecting and preserving Valletta's cultural heritage.
Malta was represented at the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee 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.