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RIYADH: After four years of diplomatic service, Clive Aquilina Spagnol, the outgoing ambassador of Malta to ��������, has concluded his post but will remain in the Kingdom, reaffirming his commitment to a country he calls his “newfound home.”

When he first arrived, he aimed to explore �������� and immerse himself in its culture, language and people, saying: “I want to learn about ��������, about Saudi people, I want to go through the walls, see how they work and see how they live, what they think and discover that they think beautifully, they are open-minded, they traveled the world.”

Spagnol noted that while dress may differ, there is much overlap between the people of �������� and Malta.

The envoy began his mission in November 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

During his tenure, the ambassador “realigned the strategy for furthering cooperation” between �������� and Malta, highlighting that Malta had not fully understood certain market gaps, particularly in manufacturing and education.

“Diplomatic cooperation started decades ago, and they were quite active or modestly active in the ’80s,” he said. “For the past six years, even seven years, the engagement has improved a lot (between �������� and Malta).”

Spagnol highlighted that during his mission, he aimed to “align our expectations of engagement,” noting that there was no heavy need to focus on teaching English: “Because all the young ones speak perfect English.

“There was a prior understanding that Malta could cooperate with �������� to teach English as a foreign language, but many students already spoke English,” he added.

The ambassador also expressed his love for serving as both ambassador and consul, saying: “Through the consular work, you meet families, you meet beautiful families, you have a lot of contact with the real Saudis.”

Spagnol voluntarily served as both ambassador and consul, explaining: “An ambassador at times feels a little bit of a demotion to do the consular work because it’s a lower level. I saw a big opportunity there and that’s what made me make a lot of friends.

“As an ambassador, the role allowed me to build a professional network, but as consul, I was able to build lifelong friendships in ��������,” he said.

“I traveled a lot internally, visited many travel agents, and explored all regions myself because when they see it on LinkedIn, they see that it is a nice place,” Spagnol added.

“I traveled practically all over. In most cases, I was the first Maltese in Najran, Jouf, and Tabuk,” he said, emphasizing that he wanted to learn firsthand: “�������� is not just Riyadh or Jeddah or Dammam. That will trigger someone to visit.”

The envoy highlighted that documenting his journey and travels in the Kingdom inspired more people to visit. “Saudi tourism is also increasing to Malta and vice versa,” he said.

This doesn’t mark the end of Spagnol’s journey in ��������. “I am proud of it ... I am staying in ��������, I am not moving out of the Kingdom,” he said. “I decided to make this place my home,” adding that it “exceeded my expectations.”

He also shared that he was “immersed in the Saudi culture,” spending time with families and camping in the desert with Saudi families.

Spagnol is no stranger to the Gulf; this year marks 10 years of experience in the region, having worked and resided in Qatar, the UAE and Oman.

RIYADH: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its global initiatives with the delivery of needed aid including food, shelter and medicine.

In Yemen’s Marib governorate, the agency distributed emergency aid including 200 tents and 400 shelter kits to 400 families affected by rains and floods.

In Khartoum state of Sudan, KSrelief distributed 650 food boxes under the third phase of the 2025 Food Security Support Project in the conflict-stricken country.

In Suwayda and Daraa governorate of Syria, 670 food boxes were distributed to displaced people as part of an ongoing relief and humanitarian initiative of the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the aid agency gave out 4,700 shelter kits in various areas in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces of Pakistan to help the most vulnerable families in flood-affected areas. The distribution was part of the fourth phase of the project to distribute 15,500 shelter kits in Pakistan for 2025.

Over in Gaza, KSrelief is continuing its vital mission by distributing food baskets and baby formula to families in the central and southern Gaza Strip. It has delivered over 7,600 tonnes of food, medical and shelter supplies via 67 aircraft and eight ships to date.

In addition, 20 ambulances have been delivered to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, along with essential logistical equipment, generators and water tankers.
KSrelief has signed agreements with international organizations worth over $90 million to implement key relief projects in the Gaza Strip, and has also collaborated with Jordan to implement crucial airdrop operations.

In Lebanon, the Souboul Al-Salam Social Association’s ambulance service in Miniyeh carried out 52 ambulance missions during the week to Oct. 2, 2025, funded by KSrelief.
The missions included transporting patients to and from hospitals in Miniyeh, benefiting both Syrian refugees and members of the host community.