“Some commentators argue that the present are not easy times and are even unsuitable for diplomacy, and therefore for those who practice it by vocation and profession. They're wrong. It is precisely during challenging periods that diplomacy demonstrates one of its most essential qualities: the pursuit of solutions and the creation of paths for dialogue. Indeed, who else can be trusted to delineate clear strategies for negotiation and potential alternatives, even under the most challenging circumstances, if not the diplomatic service?". Thus, President Sergio Mattarella began his inaugural remarks at the 18th Conference of Italian Ambassadors Worldwide, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome and attended by nearly 150 heads of Italian diplomatic missions overseas. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also spoke at the opening, stating that Italy is "increasingly playing a leading role on the global stage" and commenting on "the terrible terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Sydney," which calls for "maximum" mobilization against racial hatred and anti-Semitism. Confronted with a complex international landscape, the director of Italian diplomacy stated, "The government has steadfastly reaffirmed the two fundamental pillars of its foreign policy: the transatlantic relationship and Europe", emphasizing that the question of enlargement is of "paramount importance." "I am thinking, first and foremost, of the Balkans, but also of the other candidate countries, starting with Ukraine". He remarked that "the American peace initiative is an opportunity we cannot miss". Thus, the Conference confirmed its role as an important strategic reflection on Italy's worldwide action priorities.