19:30 - 21:30
Cocktail Reception, Quarterdeck Bar, Hilton Hotel
Join us for an unforgettable evening of networking and socialising at the renowned Quarterdeck Bar at Hilton Malta. Step into the grandeur of the Quarterdeck Bar, where the sophisticated ambiance and breathtaking views of the Portomaso Yacht Marina await. Indulge in a delectable selection of exquisite cocktails and savour the culinary delights that have earned Hilton Malta its renowned reputation for exceptional hospitality.
08:30 - 09:15
Registration
The start of an exciting and informative two days. Join us to register for the conference and start the day with a coffee and snack.
09:15 - 09:30
Welcome Address
Opening the Malta Stock Exchange Governance, Risk, Compliance and ESG Summit, this session will be addressed by Joseph Portelli, Executive Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange. It sets the tone for the summit by outlining the key themes, priorities, and focus areas that will shape the discussions ahead.
09:30 - 09:45
Keynote
This keynote will be delivered by Hon. Clyde Caruana, Minister for Finance, providing insights into national fiscal strategy and policy priorities shaping financial markets, regulatory frameworks, and economic governance.
09:45 - 10:00
Keynote
The Future of Defi: How can Cryptocurrency Transform the Global Economy
Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is redefining the global economy by enabling open, transparent and intermediary-free financial systems. This session explores how cryptocurrency can drive innovation, efficiency and financial inclusion, while addressing the regulatory and risk challenges ahead.
10:00 - 10:15
Fireside Chat
Leading Through Trust: Where Regulation Meets Culture
This session explores how effective leadership builds trust at the intersection of regulation and organisational culture. It highlights the role of values, transparency and accountability in driving compliance beyond rules. Attendees will gain insights into fostering cultures that support sustainable governance and ethical decision-making.
10:15 - 11:00
Moderated Session
Boardroom Effectiveness: Building the Right Compliance Culture from the Top
This moderated session explores the critical role boards play in setting a strong culture of compliance. It examines how effective board leadership embeds governance, accountability, and transparency into corporate strategy, highlighting practical ways to align governance structures with organisational values and risk frameworks in a complex regulatory environment.
11:00 – 11:45
Coffee Break
11:45 - 12:00
Fireside Chat
Cybersecurity & Human Capital: Building a Secure and Informed Workforce
This session explores how organisations can build a cybersecurity-aware culture by empowering staff at every level. It highlights the importance of cross-functional collaboration and behavioural change in strengthening cyber resilience. Attendees will gain practical insights into turning people into the first line of defence.
12:00 - 12:45
Moderated Session
The Role of the MLRO in Managing AML Risks
This session explores how the role of the MLRO is evolving amid increasing regulatory scrutiny and more complex financial crime risks. It examines how MLROs can balance compliance and reporting duties with a more strategic role in financial crime prevention, supported by collaboration, data and technology. Attendees will gain insight into how the MLRO function is becoming central to organisational trust, integrity and resilience.
12:45 - 13:00
Fireside Chat
The Future of ESG
This session examines how artificial intelligence is transforming risk management, compliance, and productivity. It explores AI-driven decision-making and automation while addressing key ethical, governance, and regulatory challenges, including accountability, transparency, and human oversight, offering practical insights into responsible and compliant AI adoption.
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 1
Challenges and Opportunities Within Internal Audit
This session explores how internal audit functions are adapting to increasing regulatory demands, technological change and evolving business priorities. It highlights both the challenges auditors face and the opportunities to add greater value through data, forward-looking risk approaches and stronger board engagement.
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 2
Governance in Gaming: Managing Ethical and Compliance Risk
This session examines the governance and compliance challenges facing the gaming industry amid rapid growth, digital innovation and increased regulatory scrutiny. It explores how operators and regulators can collaborate to uphold ethical standards, protect consumers and strengthen integrity, while managing key areas such as responsible gaming, AML and data protection.
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 3
Banking vs. Blockchain: How Will Stablecoins and Crypto Evolve?
This session explores the growing convergence of digital assets and traditional finance, focusing on the role of stablecoins and cryptocurrencies in the future of money. It examines opportunities for innovation and efficiency alongside regulatory, stability and systemic risk considerations, and considers whether banks and crypto will compete, coexist or integrate.
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 4
AML Protocols and Business Risk Assessments: Mitigation Best Practices
This session explores best practices for designing effective AML frameworks and conducting robust business risk assessments in a complex regulatory environment. It focuses on integrating risk assessments into operations, using data and technology to enhance monitoring, and strengthening collaboration across teams to build resilient and trusted organisations.
15:00 - 15:15
Fireside Chat
Developing a Comprehensive Compliance Plan: Standards and Controls that Work
This session explores best practices for designing and implementing robust compliance frameworks in complex, multi-jurisdictional environments. It focuses on balancing regulatory requirements with operational efficiency, governance, and risk management, while highlighting practical approaches to scalability, regulatory alignment, and effective oversight amid evolving supervisory expectations.
15:15 - 16:00
Moderated Session
Defining, Detecting & Managing Workplace Bullying
This session examines workplace bullying as a critical governance and compliance issue that impacts culture, performance and organisational resilience. It explores how clear policies, leadership accountability and effective reporting mechanisms can help prevent and address bullying while promoting ethical conduct and psychological safety.
16:00 - 16:15
Fireside Chat
How will AI Displace Workers: How to Reskill
This session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce by automating tasks and redefining job roles across industries. It examines changing skills requirements and organisational structures, with a focus on practical reskilling and upskilling strategies that enable organisations and professionals to adapt, build future-ready capabilities, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving labour market.
16:15 - 17:00
Moderated Session
Blockchain: Compliance Frameworks for the Next Generation of Gaming and Crypto
This session explores the intersection of banking and blockchain, focusing on compliance frameworks for the next generation of gaming and crypto. It examines regulatory expectations, risk management challenges, and governance models that support innovation while ensuring compliance, financial integrity, and consumer protection.
17:00 - 17:10
Closing Remarks
In the closing remarks, our speaker will summarise key points from the days discussions, and emphasise the importance of the topics covered. The remarks may include a call to action, encouraging the audience to apply the insights gained and implement relevant strategies.
17:10 - 18:15
Evening Networking Drinks
Time to relax after an intensive couple of days, spend time with new friends and contacts and enjoy a lovely cocktail hour.
08:30 - 09:15
Arrive & Welcome Coffee
09:15 - 09:30
Welcome Address
Kicking off the second day of an exciting agenda at the Malta Stock Exchange Governance, Risk, Compliance and ESG Summit, this opening session sets the tone for the discussions ahead. It highlights the key themes and priorities that will shape the day’s conversations and insights.
09:30 - 09:45
Keynote
Trends in Financial Regulation and Supervision: The Malta Perspective
This session examines key trends in financial regulation and supervision from the Malta perspective. It explores how regulatory developments are shaping compliance, risk management and market resilience within Malta’s evolving financial services landscape.
09:45 - 10:30
Moderated Session
Governance, Risk and Compliance: Supervisory Trends from Capital Market Regulators
This panel session examines current supervisory trends in governance, risk management and compliance across capital market regulators. It explores emerging regulatory frameworks, market oversight approaches and the impact of technological developments, highlighting the role of supervisors in promoting market integrity, resilience and transparency.
10:30 - 10:45
Keynote
This keynote will be delivered by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, offering insights into national priorities and policy directions shaping sustainability, energy and regeneration initiatives.
10:45 - 11:00
Keynote
The Future of Sustainable Finance in the Era of Simplification
This session explores the future of sustainable finance in an era of simplification, examining how streamlined regulatory frameworks aim to balance sustainability goals with efficiency, transparency, and effective risk management for financial institutions, investors, and regulators.
11:00 – 11:45
Coffee Break
11:45 - 12:30
Moderated Session
Supervising Sustainable Finance: Is this still a priority for Europe?
This panel examines whether sustainable finance supervision remains a European priority, addressing developments in ESG disclosures, green taxonomy, and risk management. It explores supervisory challenges, transparency in green claims, and the role of regulators in supporting Europe’s transition to a sustainable economy.
12:30 - 12:45
Fireside Chat
Crypto Currencies Opportunities and Challenges
This session explores the opportunities and challenges of cryptocurrencies, examining innovation, market growth, and new financial use cases alongside regulatory, risk, and governance considerations. The discussion highlights how policymakers, regulators, and industry participants can balance innovation with financial stability, consumer protection, and market integrity.
12:45 - 13:00
Fireside Chat
Geopolitics and Geoeconomics in Financial Services
This session explores the impact of geopolitics and geoeconomics on financial services, examining how global tensions, trade dynamics, and economic policy shifts affect markets, regulation, and risk. It highlights implications for financial stability, cross-border operations, and strategic decision-making.
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 1
Defending the Digital Perimeter: Emerging Cybersecurity Challenges
This session explores rising cybersecurity threats, including ransomware, phishing, and supply chain risks. Panellists will discuss the importance of strong governance, collaboration, and investment in technology and skills, while sharing practical strategies to build resilience, improve incident response, and strengthen security awareness.
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 2
Challenges in HR: Teleworking, Diversity, and Women in Leadership
This session explores the evolving challenges facing HR leaders, including teleworking, workforce diversity, and the advancement of women in leadership. Panellists will discuss how organisations can balance flexibility with productivity, foster inclusive cultures, and create equitable career pathways. The discussion highlights HR’s role in driving resilience, innovation, and long-term organisational success in a changing workplace.
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 3
Embracing Regulation: Building a Proactive Compliance Culture
This session examines how organisations can move beyond reactive compliance to build a proactive, strategic approach to regulation. It explores integrating compliance into business planning, using technology for smarter oversight, and fostering accountability to enhance resilience, trust, and sustainable growth.
14:00 - 14:50
Breakout Session 4
Operational Resilience: Creating an Effective Operational Risk Management Framework
This session examines how organisations can strengthen operational resilience through effective operational risk management frameworks. It explores identifying vulnerabilities, strengthening controls, leveraging technology, and the role of governance in supporting business continuity and regulatory compliance in an increasingly uncertain environment.
15:00 - 15:15
Keynote
From Artificial Intelligence to Artificial Wisdom
This session examines the shift from Artificial Intelligence to Artificial Wisdom, with Peter Kerstens of the European Commission (DG FISMA) discussing responsible innovation, governance, and the future of digital regulation in Europe.
15:15 - 16:00
Moderated Session
Supervising Artificial Intelligence
This panel examines the supervision of artificial intelligence in financial services, focusing on evolving regulatory frameworks and key supervisory challenges. It explores risk management, ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability, as well as the impact of AI on consumer protection, market integrity, and financial stability, highlighting approaches to effective oversight.
16:00 - 16:15
Keynote Speech
Crypto Asset Regulation and Supervision: Malta’s Experience
This session examines crypto-asset regulation and supervision from Malta’s perspective, with Prof. Christopher Buttigieg, Chief Officer Supervision at the MFSA, sharing insights on regulatory approaches, supervisory challenges, and balancing innovation with financial stability and consumer protection.
16:15 - 17:00
Moderated Session
Digital Finance: Emerging Consumer Protection Concerns
This panel explores consumer protection challenges in crypto-asset markets, focusing on risks such as fraud, misrepresentation, volatility, custody, and transparency. It examines regulatory responses, disclosure requirements, and safeguards to prevent misconduct, while discussing how to balance innovation with effective consumer protection and market integrity.
17:00 - 17:10
Closing Remarks
Summary of key takeaways.
17:10 - 18:15
Evening Networking Drinks
Time to relax after an intensive couple of days, spend time with new friends and contacts and enjoy a lovely cocktail hour.
19:00 - 22:00
Farewell Dinner, Aqua Terra e Mare
Join us for an exclusive dinner at the Aqua Terra e Mare, Portomaso Marina, St. Julians. We invite you to enjoy an evening of networking in a luxurious setting. This exclusive event promises great company, delectable cuisine, and meaningful conversations. We look forward to sharing this memorable experience with you.