Ambassador Nelli Feroci elected president of the Institute of International Affairs (IAI)

 

Ambassador Nelli Feroci elected president of the Institute of International Affairs (IAI)

 

Ambassador Nelli Feroci is the new president of the Italian Institute of International Affairs (IAI). Elected by the Board of Directors, he succeeds Professor Stefano Silvestri who has held the position since 2001.

Thanks to his expertise in European affairs and, more generally, in the field of foreign policy, Ambassador Nelli Feroci will provide strong impetus for the consolidation and development of the IAI’s activities.

During his diplomatic career from 1972 to 2013, he was Italy’s Permanent Representative to the EU in Brussels (2008-13), Chief of Staff (2006-08) and Director General for European Integration (2004-06) at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is the author of numerous articles and essays in the field of international relations, European affairs and foreign policy (see bio).

Professor Silvestri, on his part, will continue to put his prestige and knowledge at the disposal of the Institute, in particular in the field of strategic and security studies.

Upon taking over the presidency, Ambassador Nelli Feroci said, "I commit myself to ensuring that the Institute continues to provide a qualified contribution to public debate on issues of foreign and security policy and in particular on European policies, in light of my experience recently concluded as the Italian Permanent Representation in Brussels."

The ambassador added, “I have frequented the IAI for many years and consider it one of the most prestigious research centers in Italy and Europe in the field of international relations. I will work to consolidate its already excellent reputation and develop its undertakings."

The Italian Institute of International Affairs, founded in 1965 upon the initiative of Altiero Spinelli, carries out research in the field of foreign policy, economics and international security. A non-profit entity, IAI aims to promote knowledge of issues in these fields through studies, conferences and publications. To this end, it collaborates with institutes, universities and foundations in other countries and participates in various international networks.

The main areas of research are European Union institutions and policies, including its common security and defence policy (CSDP), Italian foreign policy, trends in global economics, internationalization processes in Italy, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and transatlantic relations.