Insider Brief:
- The Quantum World Tour launches its first episode on September 9, 2025, spotlighting Malta’s growing role in the global quantum ecosystem.
- Malta demonstrates agility and ambition by pairing government leadership, international partnerships, and EU-backed projects like PRISM to build a nationwide quantum communication testbed.
- The Tour, organized by the ITU and The Quantum Insider, is a free, public series designed as a “living blueprint” for how countries translate quantum strategies into infrastructure, talent, and commercialization.
- To register, visit AI for Good – Quantum World Tour: Malta.
PRESS RELEASE — The Quantum World Tour, a global initiative launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with The Quantum Insider, will debut its first episode with a spotlight on Malta, one of Europe’s agile and ambitious quantum ecosystems.
The Malta episode will take place online on September 9, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 CEST, hosted on the AI for Good Neural Network, and live-streamed on YouTube. This 90-minute session is the formal start of a series designed to illuminate how nations around the world are developing quantum strategies, infrastructure, and talent as the technology moves closer to real-world deployment.
Malta’s Quantum Ecosystem: Policy, Partnerships, and People
Located at the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has long been a bridge between cultures and continents. Today, it is positioning itself as a bridge into quantum. Despite its small size, Malta has shown remarkable agility in adopting and regulating emerging technologies, from fintech and blockchain to cybersecurity. Quantum is now viewed as essential for national security, resilience, and economic growth. Oversight is provided by the Ministry for the Economy and Industry, supported by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, while new institutions such as Xjenza Malta and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) ensure that local initiatives align with European and international programs.
Driving this further is Prof. André Xuereb, Professor of Physics at the University of Malta and Ambassador for Digital Affairs, whose work highlights Malta’s model of linking research, policy, and diplomacy. Under his leadership, Malta is developing Europe’s first nationwide quantum key distribution network through the EU-backed PRISM project, which integrates universities, startups, telecom providers, and government agencies. Industry is stepping in as well: Merqury Cybersecurity Ltd. leads the PRISM technical development, supported by partners such as Melita and UMNAI, while edQuanta Ltd. advances post-quantum cryptography. To sustain momentum, the University of Malta has launched new research fellowships, coursework, and public outreach initiatives, including a permanent exhibit at Esplora and the international Qalypso summer school, building the foundations of a quantum-ready workforce.
Agenda Highlights
The Malta episode of the Quantum World Tour will feature:
- Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Randolph De Battista, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malta to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva
- A briefing on Malta’s national quantum efforts by André Xuereb, Malta’s Ambassador of Digital Affairs.
- An overview of Malta’s quantum ecosystem, powered by The Quantum Insider market intelligence, and presented by Cierra Choucair, Strategic Content Director at Resonance.
- A panel discussion on strategy, science, and scale featuring Xuereb, Dr. Noel Farrugia (Merqury), and Prof. Tony John George Apollaro (University of Malta), moderated by Cierra Choucair.
- A startup showcase led by Amy Marie Calleja of Merqury.
- A panel on workforce development, with Jean-Marie Mifsud (MDIA), Prof. Johann A. Briffa, Simon Montanaro (Melita), and Prof. Apollaro, moderated by Cierra Choucair.
About the Quantum World Tour
Launched during the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, the Quantum World Tour is a collaboration between the ITU and The Quantum Insider. The series will feature country-specific episodes, each blending ecosystem briefings, expert discussion, startup showcases, and workforce initiatives. Designed as a “living blueprint” for ecosystem building, the Tour will highlight how nations are translating vision into infrastructure, talent, and commercialization.
Following Malta, future stops will include China, Russia, South Korea, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and many others. The Quantum World Tour is free to attend. To register, visit AI for Good – Quantum World Tour: Malta.
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