The Permanent Representative, H. E. Debora Lepre
Born in Cividale del Friuli, she graduated in Law from the University of Trieste in 1995 and attended the Advanced Training Course for diplomatic career at the Foundation for International Research and Studies in Florence in 1996, focusing on topics such as international and European Union law, the history of diplomatic relations, economic and financial policy, multilateral policy, and international trade.
Between 1997 and 1998, she was selected for and completed two internships in Brussels at the European Commission: the first at the Interpretation and Conference Organising Service, and the second at the Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Department.
She joined the diplomatic service in 1998, beginning a professional path characterized by strong legal training and broad specialization in the international field. She has worked across the full spectrum of diplomatic engagement: from human rights to peace and security, as well as sustainable economic development, communication, and innovation.
Over the course of her career, she has gained significant experience both at the central administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and at numerous postings abroad. After an initial assignment at the Directorate-General for Personnel at the Farnesina, she served as First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy in Paris, then as Counsellor at the Embassy of Italy in Moscow, and subsequently as First Counsellor at the Embassy of Italy in Berlin.
Upon returning to Rome, she took responsibility for the Office for the Internationalisation of Italian Enterprises within multilateral economic cooperation, contributing to the promotion of Italy’s productive system abroad. From 2015 to 2018, she served as First Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union in Brussels, where she handled major European dossiers, both geopolitical and commercial.
From 2018 to 2023, she served at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, in the Office of the Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister, dealing in particular with North Africa and the Middle East. In December 2021, she was appointed Deputy Diplomatic Advisor, with oversight and responsibility for the full scope of international activities.
Since 2 October 2023, she has been Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna, accredited, among others, to the United Nations and the main international Agencies based in the Austrian capital.
Awarded the honour of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, she is also a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic.
She is fluent in English, French, and German, and has a good knowledge of Spanish and Russian.
A strong advocate for gender equality and equal opportunities, she is among the founders of the DID Association (Italian Women Diplomats and Managers), of which she served as Vice President in 2021–2022. She is also an International Gender Champion.
She enjoys dance, practiced since childhood, as well as music, reading, and cinema. She is passionate about mathematics and communication strategies.
She has a partner with whom she shares both her private and professional life. The couple has a daughter.