Rome Unites 19 Nations in Historic Launch of the Italophonie Community

From Switzerland to Somalia, a bold alliance takes shape. Discover how Rome’s new Italophonie Community redefines global collaboration through language and heritage.

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2025 November 19 . 3:08 AM

1 min read

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Rome Unites 19 Nations in Historic Launch of the Italophonie Community

A new international community for Italian-speaking nations has been officially launched in Rome. The conference, held on 18 November 2025, brought together 19 countries with Italian as an official language or significant Italian-speaking minorities. Organised by the Italian Republic and the Dante Alighieri Society, the event marked the creation of the Italophonie Community through a founding declaration.

Switzerland played a key role in the conference, serving as co-chair alongside Italy. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis represented the Swiss delegation, joining officials from 16 other nations, including Romania, Kosovo, San Marino, Slovenia, and Somalia.

The conference concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among member states. The newly formed Italophonie Community now provides a formal framework for Italian-speaking nations to work together. Switzerland’s involvement highlights its commitment to multilateral engagement ahead of its OECD leadership in 2026.