Public opening remarks

Welcome. I think we are ready to start, and welcome to this meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. 

I am pleased to see you all here at NATO Headquarters. 

It is a decisive time for the Global Coalition as the military campaign nears its conclusion.

Raqqa and Mosul have fallen. Ninety-five percent of Iraqi territory once held by ISIS has been retaken. And stabilization is spreading: more than 2 million people in Iraq have now returned to their homes.

That success is due to the nations gathered in this room, most importantly to Iraq, whose forces have shown great courage and resilience. And also to the many other nations around this table. Nearly all of whom are NATO Allies or NATO partners. But our work is not done. As ISIS loses territory, they may seek to prove their relevance by stepping up terrorist attacks in the region and beyond - including here in Europe. So we must stay vigilant, we must stay engaged and we must work together to counter new challenges.

That is exactly why we have gathered here today.

So once again welcome to NATO Headquarters, to all of you, and then I hand over the floor to Secretary Mattis.