Category: NATO

Opening the conference, the Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, underscored the operational importance of integrating gender perspectives across the Alliance: “Over the past quarter-century, we have witnessed undeniable progress. Consider this: what was once a marginal idea — that peace and security are not gender-neutral — is now integrated into NATO’s strategic outlook, operational conduct, and institutional policy.”

Discussions reflected on NATO’s implementation of the WPS Agenda, highlighting achievements, identifying persistent gaps, and developing practical recommendations for future action. One major focus was on gender-responsive leadership, including the role of training, education and accountability in embedding gender perspectives into daily planning and operations. Participants also explored how these approaches can enhance NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in increasingly complex security environments.

The Chair of the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives, LtCol Rosa-Linda Lucchesi, stressed the importance of leadership in advancing these efforts: “We have achieved tremendous progress over the past 25 years, but we must now push further,” said Lt Col Lucchesi. “Strengthening leadership, building accountability and embedding gender perspectives into all aspects of NATO’s work are vital for future success.”

The second day of the conference examined lessons from the integration of gender-considerations  in current conflicts, and the future of UNSCR 1325 from the perspective of international stakeholders. Several case studies offered valuable insight to better understand the differentiated impacts of conflict on women and men, and the strategic advantages of gender-responsive policies for NATO and its partners.

Furthermore, the conference explored relevant approaches to the whole-of-society resilience, examining how integrating gender perspectives can strengthen societal preparedness against various security threats. Syndicate work sessions provided opportunities to reflect on NATO’s WPS Strategic Objectives and consider enhancements for the WPS Action Plan, aiming to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in addressing the evolving challenges facing the Alliance.

Background Information

The NCGP is dedicated to advancing gender mainstreaming and the integration of gender perspectives into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies, programs, and military operations. Through its work program, the NCGP provides expert advice to the NATO Military Committee on gender-related topics, aiming to enhance operational effectiveness and support the Alliance’s objectives across its core tasks. The Annual Conference serves as a key platform for this exchange and collaboration. 

UNSCR 1325, adopted in 2000, established a foundational framework for the inclusion of women in all aspects of the peace and security agenda. NATO and its Allied nations have committed to the principles of WPS by recognizing that integrating gender perspectives enhances operational effectiveness, improves mission outcomes, and supports stability in complex conflict environments. The new NATO Policy on WPS, endorsed at the Washington Summit in July 2024, outlines four strategic objectives: strengthening gender-responsive leadership and accountability; increasing women’s participation at all levels; preventing threats that have a disproportionate impact on women and girls; and protecting women and girls against gender-based violence.

 

Leveraging digital technology helps NATO work more effectively, including through the use of data as a strategic asset. The strategy outlines how to better collect, store, and distribute information across the Alliance with common standards. The requirements will create a secure and impactful data-sharing ecosystem, where the Alliance, industry, and academia will be able to securely access and collaborate – including on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models – while ensuring Allies retain control over their data.

In the 2022 Strategic Concept, Allies affirmed the need to enhance NATO’s technological edge to further strengthen deterrence and defence, and bolster the Alliance’s commitment for collective defence. At the 2023 Vilnius Summit, Allies endorsed the Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy, which aims to enhance multi-domain operations, drive interoperability across all domains, and strengthen situational awareness and political consultation.

A summary of the strategy is available here.

There will be no media opportunity.

Photographs will be available on the NATO website.

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“This year’s symposium is taking place at a critical moment for NATO’s nuclear deterrence” said Mr Jim Stokes, NATO’s Director of Nuclear Policy, who co-hosts the two-day event with Mr Janne Kuusela, Director General for Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence of Finland. “The Alliance is facing an increasingly complex and rapidly changing security environment.”

Mr Stokes added that NATO Allies reiterate their determination to take all necessary steps to ensure the credibility, effectiveness, safety and security of the nuclear deterrence mission. “Raising our collective awareness of nuclear policy issues, and having an opportunity to discuss implications, is key outcome from the symposium,” he said.

“The commitment of NATO and its member states to credible and effective deterrence and defence is now more important than ever, said Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defence of Finland. He emphasised that the Nuclear Policy Symposium supports achieving this aim. “This is a unique event which increases our understanding of pivotal topics in nuclear policy. The best experts in this field will be in attendance. I wish everyone a productive symposium”, Minister Häkkänen added.

This year’s Nuclear Policy Symposium will address High North perspectives on deterrence, as well as the implications of nuclear threats and challenges across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

The Secretary General and the German Federal President laid a wreath together at the NATO headquarters in Brussels and held bilateral talks. Mr Rutte emphasised that a strong Germany matters for Europe’s security and for global stability, “with troops along the eastern part of the Alliance, jets patrolling the Baltic skies, and ships protecting key supply lines and critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Germany is also the largest European contributor of military aid to Ukraine,” he said.

This year Germany marks 70 years of membership in NATO, an anniversary that reflects its deep commitment to peace, security and international cooperation. Since becoming NATO’s 15th member in 1955, just a decade after the Second World War, Germany has undergone a remarkable transformation from a divided, war-torn nation to one of NATO’s leading members. It stands as a symbol of how former adversaries can become pillars of peace through shared values and collective defence. 

Following the ceremony at the NATO headquarters, the German Federal President met with Philippe, King of the Belgians, at the Palace of Laeken.  

For this second SAB meeting, NATO senior representatives were invited to Kyiv by Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Serhiy Boyev. Assistant Secretary General for Operations Tom Goffus chaired the meeting with representatives from Ukraine, NATO and Poland. ASG Goffus said that hosting the meeting in Kyiv not only highlighted JATEC’s importance but also demonstrates NATO’s continued and steadfast support to Ukraine.

NATO leadership discussed JATEC’s Programme of Work, priorities and next steps. They agreed to deliver concrete and actionable combat lessons for both Ukraine and NATO, whilst embedding civilian-military aspects within the JATEC organisation. 

NATO continues to provide political and practical support for Ukraine. In the first three months of 2025, Allies have already pledged over 20 billion euros in security assistance for Ukraine this year. In Wiesbaden, Germany, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) is coordinating the delivery of training and security assistance to Ukraine. And in Bydgoszcz, Poland, JATEC is analysing crucial lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine. The first civil-military organisation to be jointly run by NATO and Ukraine, JATEC and its work will help further strengthen Ukraine’s defence sector, enhance its deterrence and defence, and reach full interoperability with NATO.

On Thursday morning, the Secretary General met with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. He also took part in a roundtable discussion hosted by The Heritage Foundation on transatlantic security, burden sharing, and the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague. Later in the day, Mr Rutte met with President Trump at the White House, as well as with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

Speaking to media afterwards, Mr Rutte described a very good meeting focused primarily on the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague as well as ongoing efforts to bring a just and lasting end to the war against Ukraine. He noted the growing consensus around a significant increase in defence spending from European Allies and Canada. “This is necessary to make sure that we stay safe. So this is really a NATO which is stronger, which is fairer, which is also more lethal in terms of being able to defend NATO territory,” he said.

On his official visit, Admiral Cavo Dragone held a high level meaning with His Highness the Crown Prince, Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. The two discussed NATO-Kuwait cooperation, and committed to continuing strengthening this unique and fruitful relationship. CMC praised the nation for its essential role in fostering regional stability and security in the Gulf, for its pioneering role in the ICI and for its dedication to dialogue and practical cooperation with the Alliance.

CMC also had the opportunity to meet the Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Interior, H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Both reflected on the 20 years of NATO-Kuwait partnership, as well as additional opportunities for deeper military cooperation between Kuwait and the Alliance.

Admiral Cavo Dragone had the opportunity to address the MAJCSC to discuss current global security challenges, and how NATO is tackling them. He stressed that from his personal experience, there are four practices that are instrumental in dealing with said challenges: adaptation on all fronts, cooperation with partners, a whole-of-society approach, and enlightened leadership. CMC emphasized the key role of partnerships, by stating “NATO’s overall strength doesn’t come from Allies alone. It comes from the contribution of our partners, too. As we say in NATO: Alone, you may go faster. Together, we will go further.”

During his visit to the NIRC, CMC praised the professional results and the even greater potential that the Centre holds to expand cooperation between NATO and the Gulf. Established in 2017, the NIRC has become a lynchpin for NATO’s cooperation efforts with ICI partners, and the Gulf as a whole. The NIRC is the first of its kind in the ICI, and acts a hub for strengthening political dialogue, education and training, and public diplomacy.

Ms Shekerinska highlighted priorities in the run-up to the NATO Summit in The Hague, including increased defence spending. She underlined that, “We have seen a number of Allies not just reaching 2% which was the pledge that NATO did more than 10 years ago, but actually going much beyond.” Ms Shekerinska also stressed that young people should care about security.  She encouraged young people to be involved and advised the future generation to be courageous, determined and resilient.

 The Deputy Secretary General took part in a conversation titled “Setting the Scene”, moderated by Selin Yimaz, President of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA) International. During her trip to Montenegro, she met the President of Montenegro, Mr Jakov Milatović, visited the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre, and the Government Cybersecurity Operations Centre.

On the 25 September 2024, NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Ms. Burcu San, and the Director General for Fire Safety and Civil Protection at the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria, Mr. Aleksandar Dzhartov, announced that the Republic of Bulgaria will host NATO’s 20th Emergency Management exercise.

EADRCC exercises are among the largest and most complex multinational emergency management activities in the world. They play a critical role in the disaster preparedness of all participants, from Allies and partners to international organizations. As such, BULGARIA 2025 will put in play a range of disciplines to build the resilience, interoperability, and response capabilities of the participants. Other objectives of the exercise include enhancing civil-military cooperation in crisis response and strengthening cooperation between Allies and partners, among others. BULGARIA 2025 also provides a platform for participants to share knowledge and good practice in disaster and emergency response.

EADRCC exercises are shaped by the participants and their priorities; their specific objectives are integrated into the exercise scenario.

A Core Planning Team, with experts from 14 countries brought together by NATO and the host nation, are developing the exercise scenario to assure every participating team is challenged adequately. The Core Planning Team will also lead the conduct and evaluation of the exercise.

The conduct of the exercise is scheduled for 7-12 September 2025, followed by a Lessons Identified Conference on 10 and 11 February 2026.

For more information on the exercise: BULGARIA 2025 factsheet