Dr. Lawrence Gonzi

The former Prime Minister of Malta from 2004-2013, Dr. Gonzi obtained his degree from the University of Malta and began his career as a private practice lawyer. Dr. Gonzi has served Malta for over 25, playing numerous roles in the political sector that have greatly attributed to the growth of Malta as a dynamic European country. From 1988 to 1996, he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was also the Minister of Social Policy from 1998 until his instatement as Prime Minister in 2004. Dr. Gonzi was appointed as the first Chairman of the National Commission for the Disabled in 1987; his has since then played an active role in bettering the rights of the disabled in Malta, in addition to the mental health sector. He was elected to Parliament in 1996 and was nominated as the leader of the Nationalist party after a myriad of different roles in Parliament. Dr. Gonzi served as Prime Minister during Malta’s inception into the EU and made it his primary motive to excel the larger EU community by advancing Malta’s capital markets and increasing the management of public finances. He also led the country through Malta’s adoption of the Euro, its restructuring of Maltese shipyards and Air Malta, fulfilling the goal to make Malta more sustainable and relatable to the EU. He was reelected in 2008 and focused on the repercussions from the financial crisis that affected much of the world. Through his platforms, Gonzi’s legislation reformed Malta’s financial services sector, its technological knowledge and manufacturing. Dr. Gonzi is known to have a particular interest in sustainable development and humanitarian work, including the refugee crisis, and decimating Malta’s ties with Libya during the Gaddafi regime, for which he was highly praised. After his retirement from politics, Dr. Gonzi continues to hold lectures and conferences to uplift the Maltese spirit and consciousness. He is the recipient of the National Order of Merit in 2004, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic in 2009.