62nd Munich Security Conference

The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC 2026) was held from 13 to 15 February 2026 at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich Germany. Described as one of the most important global platforms for defense and foreign policy the conference brought together senior representatives from politics economics military diplomacy and intelligence. The timing of the meeting amid intensifying transformations in the international system directly shaped its agenda topics.

Approximately 50 heads of state and government and around 100 foreign and defense ministers were expected to attend the conference. In addition over 500 invited guests including senior executives of global corporations academics and civil society representatives participated in the event. This profile of participation demonstrated that the conference was structured around a multilayered understanding of security encompassing not only interstate security issues but also economic technological and societal dimensions.

It was announced that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would lead the largest US delegation ever to attend the Munich Conference. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi was confirmed to participate. Germany’s Alternative for Germany party (AfD) was reported to be returning to the conference after a two-year absence. It was also indicated that Reza Pahlavi the exiled son of Iran’s deposed leader Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was expected to hold a press conference on 14 February.

The Munich Security Report 2026 published ahead of the conference stated that the international order established after World War II had entered a process of collapse. The report included assertions that the postwar international order led by the United States which had been built approximately 80 years ago was being dismantled by the United States itself. This observation became one of the key reference points defining the conceptual framework of the conference.

In this context the conference took place amid questioning of transatlantic alliances efforts to redefine Europe’s defense and security architecture and ongoing regional crises notably in Ukraine. It was noted that the meeting occurred in an atmosphere where the international order was evolving into a competitive structure the principle of multilateralism required revitalization and global power balances were being reshaped.

Topics to be addressed at the conference included Greenland the war in Ukraine developments in the Middle East European security the future of transatlantic relations and the defense industry. These topics provided a foundation not only for discussions on regional crises but also for conceptual debates concerning transformations in the normative and institutional foundations of the international system.

MSC 2026 coincided with a period in which the United States role in the international system was being redefined. Assessments that the United States was moving away from its traditional role as a security guarantor sparked debates in Europe about the emergence of new responsibilities. Within this framework the question of whether the United States would return to its position as a status quo actor and guarantor of the international order became one of the central political议题 of the conference.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb in a press conference held in Helsinki on 10 January 2026 expressed hope that the Munich Security Conference would contribute to improving relations. Stubb indicated that he expected US Secretary of State Rubio to deliver a different speech than US Vice President JD Vance who had spoken at last year’s conference. This remark highlighted that the tensions of 2025 had carried over into the 2026 agenda.

At the 2025 conference JD Vance argued that threats to Europe originated not from external actors but from internal factors and claimed that freedom of expression in Europe was regressing. These statements were strongly criticized by European politicians notably in Germany. It was reported that the 2026 conference was being held in the aftermath of these tensions with expectations of new messages regarding the trajectory of transatlantic relations.

Dr. Matti Pesu from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs stated that the “disconnection” in the international order would be the central theme of the conference. According to Pesu Europe despite being an economic power lags behind in military capacity and technology. This gap was assessed as leaving Europe vulnerable to aggressive actions by major powers.

Pesu noted that the United States distancing itself from its role as a security guarantor imposes new responsibilities on Europe. He argued that Europe must assume a leading role in conventional defense on the continent which implies mobilizing the latent military capabilities of European nation-states. The goal must be to build a European military force capable of deterring Russia a process estimated to take at least a decade.

Ian Lesser Vice President of the US-based German Marshall Fund highlighted a significant gap between Europe’s ambitions and its actual capacities in political strategic economic and military terms. He warned that the changing role of the United States poses risks to deterrence and warned that if this situation persists traditional allies may find themselves in a precarious position due to a deterrence gap.

The question of how to fill the leadership vacuum created by a potential US withdrawal from Europe was identified as a critical issue within the context of the conference. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of political will to address this gap. It was assessed that during the process of restructuring European security architecture NATO could evolve into a more European-oriented framework.

Pesu stated that Türkiye could play a potentially significant role in a more European NATO. This assessment was grounded in Türkiye’s military capabilities and its position within NATO. It was noted that Türkiye could be an effective actor in a Europe-centered defense structure.

Ian Lesser also stated that if NATO moves toward a more European orientation Türkiye would hold an important position. The unpredictability and assertive posture of the United States were identified as risks with the Greenland crisis cited as an example. In this context it was noted that MSC 2026 would serve as a venue for critical discussions on NATO’s transformation and the future of a Europe-centered defense architecture.

The war in Ukraine was identified as a central item on the conference agenda. It was also announced that the issue of Greenland and developments in the Middle East would be addressed. These topics signaled a period in which global competition is shaping regional crises.

MSC 2026 in this regard framed its discussions around the sustainability of the postwar international order the future of transatlantic ties the restructuring of European security architecture and the military political and institutional dimensions of global competition dynamics.

62. During the Munich Security Conference in Munich Germany Philippe Lazzarini Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA stated that political pressure against the agency continues. Lazzarini affirmed that Israel’s efforts to eliminate UNRWA are ongoing.

Lazzarini described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as dire with the population largely deprived of basic needs beyond food and engaged in a struggle for survival. He emphasized the importance of UNRWA’s continued provision of public health and primary and secondary education services but stressed that children in the region have not attended school for more than two years. He underscored that the right to education is a central element for Palestinians.

Lazzarini noted that UNRWA is under intense pressure and reported witnessing the destruction of the agency’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. He characterized these developments as part of a trend aimed at erasing Palestinian identity in East Jerusalem. He stated that political pressure to eliminate UNRWA is intended to erase the refugee status of Palestinians.

Lazzarini also described the West Bank as a “silent battlefield overshadowed by Gaza” and reported an increase in settler violence and land seizures. He warned that developments in the West Bank could impact the future of the two-state solution.

On 14 February 2026 Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekyan-Schah made appeals to Germany and Finland during the margins of the Munich Security Conference to recognize the State of Palestine. Aghabekyan-Schah held separate meetings with German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

The meetings addressed recent developments in the occupied Palestinian territories. Aghabekyan-Schah asserted that recognition of the State of Palestine would strengthen the international order advance the implementation of the two-state solution and support the establishment of a just and lasting peace. He formally called on the governments of Berlin and Helsinki to extend official recognition.

It was noted that 160 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognize the State of Palestine. This information reflects the current diplomatic landscape regarding Palestine’s international status.

At the panel titled “Life Under Destruction: Building Blocks of a New Gaza” held within the framework of the Munich Security Conference Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekyan-Schah delivered a speech. Schah emphasized that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Schah stated that only a partial ceasefire exists in Gaza and humanitarian aid has not reached the required scale. He highlighted the need for numerous reconstruction and humanitarian interventions in Gaza. He stressed that Gaza and the West Bank cannot be considered separately.

Schah asserted that the Palestinian Authority must be included in the Gaza process and noted that plans endorsed by the Arab League the Muslim world and the international community already exist. He called for granting the Palestinian Authority the authority to assume responsibility. He emphasized that the Palestinian Authority has been marginalized but that developments in Gaza are directly linked to those in the West Bank.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held various meetings on the margins of the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Zelenskiy participated in a meeting held under the Berlin format with European leaders.

Following the meeting Zelenskiy held separate talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. These discussions were conducted within the framework of bilateral diplomatic engagements during the conference.

Details of the content of the meetings were not disclosed but they were conducted within the context of multilateral security and regional issues.

During the Munich Security Conference Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting took place within the framework of the conference.

The Danish Prime Minister’s office stated that the meeting was constructive and that work would continue in accordance with the decision of a high-level working group. Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen also described the meeting as a positive step forward.

It was previously noted that Danish and Greenlandic foreign officials had met in Washington with US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that US President Donald Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland had been discussed. The meeting in Munich was part of the continuation of this process.