Foreign and European Affairs Minister Chris Fearne chaired a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in New York on Sunday, as part of Malta's engagement ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Fearne chaired the meeting in his capacity as Chair of CMAG, which brought together ministers and representatives from Commonwealth member states to discuss the Group's continued work to uphold the Commonwealth Charter and support member states on human rights and strengthening democratic processes.

Ahead of the meeting, Fearne also held a brief meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey.

On the margins of the CMAG meeting, Fearne held a bilateral meeting with Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, at the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations in New York.

The two sides discussed Malta-Canada relations and opportunities to strengthen cooperation, including through trade, investment and increased high-level political engagement.

They also discussed the increasingly close ties between Canada and the European Union and the opportunities these create for further bilateral cooperation.

Fearne also met with Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The meeting focused on Malta's commitment to humanitarian principles and international cooperation, with discussions on practical opportunities for collaboration, including in health and humanitarian assistance.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional humanitarian concerns.

The meetings form part of Fearne's programme of engagements during the United Nations High-Level Week and Malta's participation in multilateral, bilateral and humanitarian discussions.