Sicherheitskonferenz München - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. The Security Conference Munich, also known as the Sicherheitskonferenz München, is an annual conference held in Munich, Germany, that brings together international leaders from politics, military, business, and academia to discuss global security issues.
- 2. The conference was founded in 1963 by Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin, a German publisher and former Wehrmacht officer, as a forum for dialogue on security and foreign policy matters in the aftermath of World War II.
- 3. The conference typically takes place in February each year and lasts for three days. It is considered one of the most important gatherings of its kind in the world.
- 4. The conference is attended by heads of state, government officials, defense ministers, military leaders, and experts from around the world. Past attendees have included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- 5. The conference covers a wide range of topics, including international security challenges, arms control, terrorism, cyber security, and regional conflicts. Participants engage in panel discussions, roundtable talks, and informal meetings to address these issues.
- 6. The conference is held at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, which serves as the main venue for the event. Security is tight during the conference, with a significant police presence and strict access controls in place.
- 7. The conference is organized by the Munich Security Conference Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to promote dialogue on international security issues and foster cooperation among nations.
- 8. The conference has been the site of significant diplomatic breakthroughs and controversies over the years. In 2015, for example, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a rare meeting on the sidelines of the conference to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.
- 9. The Munich Security Conference is known for its informal atmosphere, which allows participants to engage in frank and open discussions on sensitive security issues. This has made it a valuable platform for building trust and fostering dialogue among nations.
- 10. In recent years, the conference has focused on emerging security challenges such as the rise of populism, the threat of cyber attacks, and the impact of climate change on global security. It remains a key event for shaping the international security agenda and promoting cooperation among nations.