
A platform for networking will be offered in digital format
Find out about various products and services in the virtual exhibition
You will have the opportunity to get involved in the diverse discussions and to network with each other
For the first time the Berlin Security Conference / 19th Congress on European Security and Defence will be held digitally on 18 and 19 May 2021. The congress will be organised entirely as a web conference. The theme “Europe – a cohesive bond for strong power“ remains topical and the programme will be adapted. The Czech Republic is our partner country and will support the conference with numerous high-ranking speakers.
The Behörden Spiegel – the most important monthly newspaper for the Public Services in Germany – has been organising the Berlin Security Conference for 19 years now. It is supported by an Advisory Board composed of key international personalities. The President of the BSC in May 2021 is Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering, former President of the European Parliament, Representative for European Affairs of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
The Berlin Security Conference is a forum aimed at promoting the Common Security and Defence Policy. It focuses on issues concerning the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council as well as national parliaments and ministries. The emphasis is on proposing and discussing concrete solutions aimed at improving European and transatlantic political, operational and tactical cooperation. The goal is to develop ways to mitigate the frictions caused by insufficient capabilities, inadequate standardisation, the lack of interoperability, differences in the levels of support and national restrictions.
Security in Europe must be ensured by cooperating closely with the United States while taking the requirements of the EU’s and NATO’s neighbours into account. Transatlantic cooperation and future security structures will therefore be a central focus of the conference. Members of the EU, NATO and OSCE contribute to the programme and participate in the Berlin Security Confe rences.
Despite the fact that there is currently considerable disagreement with the Russian Federation, Europe has become a continent of stability and peace. NATO and the EU have substantially contributed to this success. However, the increasing tension indicates that the European Post-Cold War Security System will need to be adjusted.
The Berlin Security Conference deals with European issues of security and defence, but looks also beyond Europe’s borders. Afghanistan has been the focus many times. The Middle East and Africa are areas of major concern requiring continuous attention. Neighbourhood policy is a decisive issue of security and defence.
MP, Minister of State, German Federal Foreign Office
Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy NATO, former Director for Security Policy at the Federal Foreign Office, former Ambassador of Germany to Georgia
Head of the Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, former Advisor of President Juncker on Security and Defence, European Commission
Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy NATO, former Director for Security Policy at the Federal Foreign Office, former Ambassador of Germany to Georgia
MEP, EPP Group Foreign Affairs Coordinator, European Parliament
MP, Chairman of the Defence Committee, German Bundestag, Congress President BSC 2021
former MEP, former Vice-President of the European Parliament, former Defence Minister of Romania, Congress President BSC 2018
former President of the European Parliament, Representative for European Affairs of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Congress President BSC 2019 – 2020
MP, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Defence
Chief Executive, European Defence Agency (EDA), former Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, Congress President BSC 2015–2017
President of the Assembly of the WEU 2008 – 2011, President of the European Security and Defence Association (ESDA), Congress President BSC 2012 – 2014
Secretary General of the Kangaroo Group, Congress President BSC 2001 – 2011
In addition to over 100 distinguished speakers including political, military, business and civil society leaders the conference draws an ever larger number of members of national parliaments and the European Parliament, as well representatives of the European institutions and NATO. Foreign and Defence Ministers, Ambassadors, Generals, Admirals and industry representatives see the conference as an invaluable forum for addressing a wide range of topics related to security and defence policy. Members of the armed forces, representing all ranks and a wide range of European countries and multinational staffs, as well as representatives of security organisations and industry, contribute to the lively exchange of views and hence to the success of the conference.