Born in Fleur-de-Lys, Malta, Mr. Franklin Aquilina pursued his education at the Lyceum and the University of Malta, where he studied Management and Politics. He later furthered his academic journey, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of London and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Mr. Aquilina has dedicated his career to public service, initially working within the structures of the Public Service of Malta. He served for several years at the Ministry of Health before transitioning to the Office of the Head of the Public Service within the Office of the Prime Minister. In this capacity, he acted as Secretary to the Committee of Permanent Secretaries and as Liaison Officer to the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information on behalf of the Head of the Public Service.

In 2013, he joined the Private Secretariat of the newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta, H.E. Dr. George Vella. His contributions within the Malta Foreign Service included serving as Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Malta in Denmark and representing Malta in the Council of the European Union’s United Nations Working Party (CONUN). He also played a role in the establishment of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) in Malta.

From September 2015 to February 2020, Mr. Aquilina served as the Consul General of the Republic of Malta in Istanbul. During this tenure, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Embassy of Malta in Ankara in late 2017. His primary focus was on fostering stronger economic and cultural ties between Malta and Turkey.

In September 2020, Mr. Aquilina was appointed as Malta’s Representative to Palestine. Since assuming this role, he has played a crucial part in strengthening bilateral relations between Malta and Palestine, particularly during challenging periods. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, that characterized his first months in this post, and the war on Gaza that escalated in October 2023, his diplomatic efforts have been instrumental in enhancing cooperation in cultural, educational, and political spheres. Notably, his expertise contributed significantly to Malta’s engagement in the United Nations Security Council, particularly in discussions on the Middle East conflict, not least the Israel-Hamas war.

His unwavering commitment has reinforced the longstanding friendship between Malta and Palestine, further deepening diplomatic relations between the two nations. His efforts were rewarded by the Palestinian leadership when, at the end of his tenure in Palestine, Mr Aquilina was awarded the ‘Star of Friendship’ of the Order of President Mahmoud Abbas, by the Palestinian President himself.

Mr Aquilina has been appointed Ambassador of Malta to the State of Libya in December 2025.

Franklin Aquilina is married to Antonella Mifsud, and they have a daughter, Emily Kaye, born in 2013.