Reform of the Farnesina: Tajani presents the new operating model for 2026.

Today at Villa Madama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, presented the reform that will reshape the structure of the Farnesina, starting January 1st next year. This comprehensive initiative aims to modernize the functioning of Italy's diplomatic apparatus, making it more streamlined, innovative, and responsive to the concrete needs of citizens and businesses. The stated goal is to place the country's growth at the center of foreign action, with a new balance between the political and economic dimensions of national diplomacy.

A Farnesina with a dual soul: political and economic

Among the most significant innovations is the establishment of a two-pronged structure, one political and one economic, each led by a Deputy Secretary General. This dual approach represents a paradigm shift, formally recognizing the growing importance of economic and trade issues in Italy's international presence. A new Directorate for Growth and Export Promotion will be established alongside the traditional Directorate for Political Affairs and International Security, designed to support Italian companies in global markets and strengthen the country's attractiveness.

Cybersecurity and consular services: responding to new needs

The new structure also includes the establishment of a Directorate dedicated to cybersecurity, an area requiring specialized expertise and rapid response capabilities, given the intensification of cyber threats internationally. This move demonstrates the desire to bring Italian diplomacy up to speed with the challenges of the digital world and equip itself with adequate tools to protect data, infrastructure, and national interests. At the same time, the Directorate responsible for services to citizens abroad and migration policies will be strengthened, a sector that has been under severe pressure in recent years due to the growth in international mobility and the demand for consular assistance.

Simplification and coordination for more efficient diplomacy

To ensure more orderly and responsive management, a Simplification and Coordination Unit will be established within the General Secretariat. This new body will be responsible for gathering reports and suggestions, formulating operational proposals, and promoting more streamlined processes for both citizens and businesses. The concept of simplification thus becomes a guiding principle for the entire reform, which aims to further bring the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation closer to the day-to-day needs of the real world.

Diplomatic training and competition: an opening for new talents

The reform also addresses staff recruitment and training. Opening the diplomatic competition to all master's degree programs significantly broadens the pool of candidates and aims to attract new, more diverse skills, in line with the complexity of today's world. This process is accompanied by a strengthening of hiring, already underway in recent years, and a rethinking of internal training, which will prepare future diplomats to work in an increasingly global, digital, and competitive environment.

The objectives of the reform in the international context

During the presentation event, the strategic objectives to which the reform responds will be explained in detail. The international context, marked by geopolitical instability, technological transformation, and economic interdependence, requires a diplomatic corps capable of adapting rapidly. At the same time, there is growing demand for services from citizens and businesses, who look to the Farnesina as a point of reference for their international relations. The reform aims to provide more effective responses, enhancing Italy's role on the global stage and making the state's external action more modern and effective.