Secretary General opens NATO 2030 Youth Summit
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed young people from across the Alliance to the NATO 2030 Youth Summit on Monday (9 November 2020). Organised in cooperation with the Munich Security Conference, the Youth Summit brought together hundreds of young people for an online conversation with the Secretary General and other NATO leaders, and a series of interactive debates focused on keeping NATO strong militarily, making it stronger politically and taking a more global approach.
Opening the Summit, the Secretary General stressed that NATO is needed in a more uncertain, contested and competitive world. The Alliance, he explained, can offer strategies to deal with uncertainty, serve as a forum to resolve differences and provide the strength and solidarity needed to tackle global challenges. The Secretary General also encouraged young leaders to share their views and ideas on the future of the Alliance. “You – tomorrow’s leaders, both in North America and Europe – have the greatest stake in our security, so NATO 2030 is the chance for you to step up and safeguard your future, your freedom, your Alliance,” he said.
The Secretary General also announced the establishment of the NATO 2030 Young Leaders, a group of 14 emerging leaders from across the Alliance who will provide him with input to inform his recommendations for NATO 2030. He also made public the winners of the NATO 2030 video contest.
The Youth Summit is part of NATO 2030, the Secretary General’s initiative to make sure the Alliance remains ready to face tomorrow’s challenges and keep its citizens safe in the next decade and beyond.