Dialogue instead of confrontation
Two premieres and controversial issues: these are the participants, topics and programme of the Munich Security Conference 2018.
Germany. One thousand talks a day – that’s 1000 chances to defuse global conflicts. Government leaders, foreign policy leaders and representatives of business and civil society from all over the world will meet for three days at the Munich Security Conference (MSC 2018), the most important international forum for security policy.
What are the main issues at the MSC 2018?
Key issues are the future of the European Union, its relations with Russia and the US, and the conflicts in the Middle East, in particular the war in Syria. Another focus is arms control.
What is the state of world security?
Answers are provided by the Munich Security Report 2018, which the MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger presented as conference reading. It contains analyses of the most important foreign and security policy developments.
Munich Security Report 2018: “To the Brink – and Back?”
Last year, the world came too close to a major interstate conflict.
Who is participating in the Munich Security Conference 2018?
The organizers expect about 600 participants, including more than 20 heads of state and government, 40 foreign ministers and 40 defence ministers. Non-governmental organizations are also represented – for example, Transparency International and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Israel is sending Benjamin Netanyahu, the first time an incumbent prime minister will attend the MSC. Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg have all also agreed to attend.
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Open consent formGermany doesn’t yet have a new government – who will represent the country?
For the first time, an acting German government delegation will take part in the Munich Security Conference. It consists of Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière and Development Minister Gerd Müller.
Will the discussions of the decision-makers be kept secret?
No. The debates are broadcast via livestream on the MSC homepage and accompanied on Twitter and Facebook. In addition, there will be public events at the MSC 2018.
How important is the Munich Security Conference?
In a 2017 study the University of Pennsylvania called it the best “think tank conference” in the world.
54th Munich Security Conference (MSC), 16 - 18 February 2018
