 Tanya Vella is Malta’s Ambassador to Spain (since December 2008) and Andorra (since 2009). Previous diplomatic appointments include Ambassador of Malta to Tunisia (2005-2008), Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Paris (1992-1997), Alternate Member UNESCO Executive Board (1995-1996), Member World Heritage Committee (1993-1997).
Prior to joining the Malta Foreign service Ambassador Vella worked at the United Nations in New York first in the UN Centre for Transnational corporations, the UN Legal Office, Codification Division, and in positions of increasing responsibility in the UN Administration of Justice system. After moving to Paris she also worked at UNESCO in legal affairs, cultural heritage legal protection and human resources management.
She holds a Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta (1979) and defended her thesis on “the Role of United Nations General Assembly Resolutions in the Evolution of International Law”. She holds an LL.M. in international law from University College London (1980). Ambassador Vella’s interests include human rights and development, international institutional law, diplomatic and consular law and practice, international legal protection of cultural and natural heritage. Ambassador Vella was a visiting lecturer and tutor at the University of Malta Law Faculty in economic social and cultural rights (2001-2004) and has written several articles in the press.
Ambassador Vella was awarded the Colombos Scholarship in International Law from the University of Malta (1975).
She was granted the Encomienda de Número de la Orden del Mérito Civil (2009).
She has two children (Christopher, 1984 and Gabriella, 1987).
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