181st Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session – NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

The Allied Chiefs of Defence will meet for the second time in 2019 to discuss NATO’s Deterrence and Defence Posture and the Enablement of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility. They will also hold two sessions with their partner Chiefs of Defence - one with Ukraine and another with their Mediterranean Dialogue colleagues.

The Chiefs of Defence will begin their day by meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg in order to be informed of the political context and debate key strategic issues facing the Alliance. The second session of the day will allow the Chiefs of Defence to give further direction and guidance on the Alliance’s Deterrence and Defence. Session three will see the Chiefs of Defence discuss the different elements related the Enablement of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility.

The last two sessions of the day will focus on Ukraine and the Middle East and North Africa region. The session on Ukraine will allow the Chiefs of Defence to receive an update on the current security situation, recent developments and to discuss future cooperation. Meeting with their Mediterranean Dialogue counterparts, the Chiefs of Defence will discuss projecting stability initiatives and defence capacity building in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Chiefs of Defence’s advice and guidance will assist and further frame discussions ahead of the June Defence Ministerial

The Military Committee is led by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. He will be supported in each session by General Tod Wolters (Supreme Allied Commander Europe, SACEUR) and General André Lanata (Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, SACT). 

The Military Committee meets twice a year at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, at the level of Chiefs of Defence to discuss NATO operations and missions and provide the North Atlantic Council with consensus-based military advice on how the Alliance can best meet global security challenges, and once a year they meet in an Allied member country.  On a day-to-day basis, their work is carried out by permanent Military Representatives at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Media Opportunities

Wednesday 22 May 2019

07:15-07:45               Media Pool pick up in the Public Square
08:00-08:10               181st Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session – Opening remarks by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
17:45-18:15               Joint Press Conference in the main Press Theatre with Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), General Tod Wolters, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and General André Lanata, Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation (SACT)

Imagery

Photos of all opening sessions will be available online at www.nato.int/ims shortly after each meeting.  Photos and video of the Opening Remarks and Joint Press Conference will be made available on the NATO website after the event. Broadcasters can also request the broadcast quality footage by contacting content@natomultimedia.tv.

Accreditation

Media representatives holding a valid 2019 NATO Media pass will have access as usual to the NATO HQ. Media representatives not in possession of a NATO Media pass and wishing to attend the media opportunities available are invited to contact the NATO IMS Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Office via email (ronaynecasimiro.lara@hq.nato.int) with a completed accreditation form no later than 12h00 on 14 May 2019

Media passes will not be mailed to applicants; they must be collected in person upon presentation of an ID card or passport and a valid national press pass (or accreditation letter from a recognized media organization). Media representatives will be given their accreditation at the Guard House South, NATO Headquarters, Boulevard Leopold III, Brussels, Belgium.

Passes must be worn visibly at all times, and security personnel may ask to see another form of ID at any time. Media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site and are advised to arrive with sufficient lead time to clear security checks.

Social Media

We will post the latest information and pictures from the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence (MCCS) format on our official Twitter account: @NATO_PASCAD. Please use the hashtag #NATOCHoDs and #NATOMC when tweeting about the MCCS.

 Enquiries

Points of contact for the Chairman of the Military Committee:

General press arrangements:
Mr. Damien Elvin, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor to the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and NATO International Military Staff
Tel: + 32 476 60 53 56
E-Mail: elvin.damien@hq.nato.int 

 Ms. Elizabeth Steenson, Public Affairs Officer, NATO International Military Staff
Tel: + 32 475 75 75 23
E-Mail: steenson.elizabeth@hq.nato.int  

For more background information about the NATO Military Committee click here