Amb Marco Peronaci, Italy’s Permanent Representative to NATO, has been appointed as the new ambassador to Washington, replacing outgoing Amb. Mariangela Zappia.
A seasoned and distinguished diplomat by all accounts, Peronaci arrives in Washington as transatlantic relations are undergoing a turbulent time. Italy’s efforts to become a protagonist on what happens next, will certainly be on the top of the agenda of the new ambassador.
Born in Pavia in 1965, Peronaci graduated in Political Science from La Sapienza University in Rome and earned a master’s degree in International Relations from SIOI in Rome,
His early overseas assignments included postings in Kampala (1991) and Tokyo (1993), advancing from Second to First Secretary. Returning to Rome, he served in the Directorate Generals for Political Affairs and for Personnel & Administration—rising to Head of Office III by December 2000 .
In 2002, he became Counsellor at the Italian Embassy in Paris, followed in 2006 by a key role as First Counsellor in Italy’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels. By March 2009, he was Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Justice .
His ascent continued significantly in June 2012, when he was promoted to Ambassador as Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, presiding over COREPER during Italy’s presidency semester in 2014. Later roles included Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of the Interior (2015), and from January 2017, he became Ministerial Spokesperson and Head of Press & Institutional Communication at the Farnesina .
Peronaci was appointed Special Envoy for Brexit on October 11, 2018, reporting directly to the EU Director-General. On February 20, 2020, he became Ambassador-level Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU Political & Security Committee. Since January 2, 2023, he has represented Italy at NATO in Brussels—a post requiring deft coordination on European defense and security .
In 2018, Peronaci was awarded the honour of Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica italiana; in 1998, he received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Golden Rays with Grand Collar of Japan.
