Ambassador Francesco Maria Talò is a highly experienced Italian diplomat who currently serves as Italy’s Special Envoy for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and as Advisor to the Italian Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto.

He graduated cum laude in Law from the University of Rome and served as a Lieutenant in the Carabinieri. He is widely regarded as one of Italy’s leading experts on transatlantic relations, international security, technological innovation, and strategic dynamics, particularly regarding the Indo-Mediterranean region. He is a contributor and columnist for major Italian newspapers and think tanks.

During his forty-year diplomatic career, Ambassador Talò has held a number of leading international positions. He served as Diplomatic Advisor to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (2022–23), Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO in Brussels, Ambassador of Italy to Israel, Consul General in New York, Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Coordinator for Cyber Security at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

Since June 2026, Ambassador Francesco Talò has been a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the CSF Foundation.