Munich Security Conference kicks off today with participation of Ilham Ahmed, Mazloum Abdi

The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC 2026) kicks off today and will continue for three consecutive days, with the participation of around fifty heads of state and government from around the world, alongside the Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration, Ilham Ahmed, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi.

The conference will see participation from heads of state from 50 countries and officials from 150 countries. Also attending are the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Nechirvan Barzani, alongside the Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration, Ilham Ahmed, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi. The event will take place at Munich’s Bayerischer Hof and Rosewood hotels under strict organizational and security measures, reflecting the sensitivity of the current international situation. This year’s edition is being held at a time described by political and diplomatic circles as one of the most turbulent since the end of the Cold War, amid escalating armed conflicts and the erosion of the international rules-based system.

According to organizers, about fifty heads of state and government from various countries have confirmed their participation, including leaders from most European nations, alongside an expanded German government delegation led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, highlighting Berlin’s view of the conference as a central platform for global security discussions. The conference is chaired by Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, who stated in preliminary remarks that the 2026 session will be a key moment for deepening strategic dialogue.

The official conference website notes that the Middle East holds a significant place on this year’s agenda. The main program will address major international issues, including the future of European security and defense policy, transatlantic relations, and efforts to revive multilateralism. Participants will also discuss technological transformations, particularly artificial intelligence, and their impact on deterrence, future warfare, and cybersecurity, amid growing concern that the international system faces the risk of fragmentation.

The Munich Security Conference, which brings together world leaders and security experts, is considered one of the most prestigious platforms globally, serving as a forum for discussing security policies.

A-H

ANHA