The Berlin Security Conference / 20th Congress on European Security and Defence will be held as physical event from 24 to 25 November under the theme of “Europe – Developing Capabilities for a credible Defence”. The primary focus of the BSC will be on performing a deep-dive analysis of the development of European security and military capabilities and procurement, embedded in the EU and NATO security and defence policy context. To be discussed with key organizations in their capacity as partners of the conference in plenary sessions and so-called “capability lounges” the real progress being made through current and future European / NATO developments, e.g., forces’ collaborative procurements, R & D, and (disruptive) technologies.
The Behörden Spiegel – the most important monthly newspaper for the Public Services in Germany – has been organising the Berlin Security Conference for 20 years now. It is supported by an Advisory Board composed of key international personalities. The President of the BSC in 2021 is Wolfgang Hellmich MP, Chairman of the Defence Committee, German Bundestag.
ABOUT BERLIN SECURITY CONFERENCE
Berlin Security Conference at a glance:
- International forum for security and defence
- Gathering of political and military decision-makers
- Participants from armed forces and security organisations
- Keynote speeches by Ministers / State Secretaries, EU Commissioners and business leaders
- Main programme with international political, military and business leaders
- Panel sessions with international experts
- Exhibition with leading systems solutions manufacturers
- Media coverage by the print press, radio and television
- Congress language: English
Famous Speakers
Actual Topics
Capability Lounges
Participants
Catering included
European Security and Defence
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.
Transatlantic Cooperation
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.
The European Post-Cold War Security System
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.
Neighbourhood
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.
The magazine for the first digital Berlin Security Conference / 19th Congress on European Security and Defence on 18/19 May 2021 is hereby available online as pdf-doc. It contains numerous interesting articles by prominent speakers of the congress, the programme, the short bio of all speakers and experts as well as profiles of the exhibitors and congress partners. We hope you enjoy reading it.
ADVISORY BOARD
Niels Annen
MP, Minister of State, German Federal Foreign Office
Claude-France Arnould
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
Michel Barnier
Former head of the Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, former Advisor of President Juncker on Security and Defence, European Commission
Bettina Cadenbach
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
Michael Gahler
MEP, EPP Group Foreign Affairs Coordinator, European Parliament
Wolfgang Hellmich
MP, Chairman of the Defence Committee, German Bundestag, Congress President BSC 2021
Prof Ioan Mircea Pascu
former MEP, former Vice-President of the European Parliament, former Defence Minister of Romania, Congress President BSC 2018
Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering
former President of the European Parliament, Representative for European Affairs of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Congress President BSC 2019 – 2020
Thomas Silberhorn
MP, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Defence
J. Sedivy
Chief Executive, European Defence Agency (EDA), former Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, Congress President BSC 2015–2017
Robert Walter
President of the Assembly of the WEU 2008 – 2011, President of the European Security and Defence Association (ESDA), Congress President BSC 2012 – 2014
Dr Karl von Wogau
Secretary General of the Kangaroo Group, Congress President BSC 2001 – 2011
PARTNERS
For some years now nations have been invited to become partners of the Berlin Security Conference. In 2012, Russia was the first partner country, followed by the United Kingdom, Turkey, the United States of America, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy and in2020, the Czech Republic. They contribute to the programme, participate with high-ranking delegations and organise the pre-event Reception in their embassies.
For this year’s conference, international agencies at EU and NATO level have been invited as partners:
- OCCAR-EA
- EDA
- NCIA
- NSPA
With these key organisations in their capacity as partners of the conference are to be discussed in plenary sessions and so-called “capability lounges” the real progress being made through current and future European / NATO developments,e.g.
- forces’ collaborative procurements,
- R & D and
- (disruptive) technologies.
Our conference partners from industry and business will accompany the new format with specified contributions and an exhibition.
SPEAKERS AND PARTICIPANTS
In addition to over 120 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.