Francesco Arezzo to be Rotary International President 2025-26

 

 

We are very proud to announce that Francesco Arezzo, who served as District Governor of our District 2110 (Sicily and Malta) in 2009–10, has been appointed by the Board of Rotary International to serve as President of Rotary International for the year commencing 1 July 2025.

 

This appointment follows the unexpected resignation of RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo on 8 June.

 

Francesco has maintained a strong and enduring connection with Rotary in Malta, regularly attending events in our country. Most recently, he participated in the Zone 14 RYLA seminar held in Malta in April 2025, covering Italy, Malta, and San Marino. His longstanding involvement includes his official visit to the three Maltese clubs in December 2009 during his term as District Governor, his support for projects such as a fundraising tour to Malta for Italian Rotarians, participation at RotaryClub Malta’s first Rotary Hands-on Day and his attendance at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Rotary Club Malta.

Beyond official engagements, Francesco has made frequent personal visits to Malta. His ties to the island are further underscored by his investiture as a Knight of Honour and Devotion in Obedience of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

 

Following his District Governor role, Francesco has held several key leadership positions within Rotary. He served as a Training Leader, a member of the RI Board (2018–2020), and Chair of the Executive Committee during his second year as Director. In the current Rotary year (2024–25), he serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee among other roles.

 

A respected and dynamic figure within the Rotary world, Francesco has acted as the President’s Representative at several district conferences and is a familiar presence at Rotary events globally. His leadership roles have included:

    •    Convener of the Rotary Institute in Catania (2019)
    •    Convener of the Presidential Conference on Economy and Environment in Venice (2022)
    •    Convener of the Rotary International Convention held in Melbourne (June 2023)

 

Francesco is known for his strong ethical foundation, inclusive leadership, and warm, approachable character. He is someone who builds bridges and brings people together—qualities that perfectly reflect the theme for the 2025–26 Rotary year: “Unite for Good.” Unveiled at the Rotary International Assembly in February 2025, this theme encourages Rotary members to be a unifying force in a world increasingly divided by politics, geography, and ideology.

All of us at Rotary Club Malta extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Francesco and his wife Annamaria as they prepare for this important and inspiring chapter in Rotary leadership.