183rd Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence session
Media Advisory
The Military Committee, NATO’s highest Military Authority, will hold its first virtual meeting in Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Session via secure teleconference on 14 May 2020. Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the Military Committee, will preside over the sessions supported by General Tod Wolters (Supreme Allied Commander Europe, SACEUR) and General André Lanata (Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, SACT).
For the first time in the history of the NATO Military Committee, the 30 Chiefs of Defence, including the most recent NATO Ally the Republic of North Macedonia, will hold a virtual meeting to discuss the Alliance’s ongoing Operations, Missions, Activities and Operational Commitments. Naturally, the Chiefs of Defence will also discuss the current global Covid-19 crisis, its impact on allied activities and NATO’s support to the response efforts.
The programme will start with a joint meeting between the Chiefs of Defence and the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who will provide detail of the political outcomes from last month’s Foreign and Defence Ministerial meetings. The NATO Chiefs of Defence will then discuss the requirements to implement those decisions.
Echoing recent political decisions, the Chiefs of Defence will then focus on NATO’s operational commitments, namely its ongoing training missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Earlier this year, following progress in the intra-Afghan negotiations, the Alliance agreed to reduce its presence in Afghanistan within NATO’s Resolute Support Mission to 12,000 troops. Nevertheless, with the support of the Afghan government, NATO continues to train, assist and advise the Afghan security forces. The Chiefs of Defence will discuss the importance of preserving the gains achieved in the last 19 years and possible future engagement with Afghanistan. Allied Chiefs of Defence will also explore avenues to fight terrorism, build stability and strengthen partnerships across the region.
The next session will provide the Chief of Defence with an update on the ongoing work to develop the Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) and the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept. These complimentary policies set out NATO’s military priorities as well as a coherent approach to current and future threats.
In the final session of the day, the Chiefs of Defence will address NATO’s role within the response to the COVID-19 crisis and the opportunities to further support Allies, Partners and countries in need.
For background information about the NATO Military Committee click here
Media Opportunities
Thursday 14 May 2020
13.00 – 13.10
Opening Remarks by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Video statement uploaded to the NATO website.
18.15 – 19.15
Online Press Conference by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Followed by Q&A session.
Media access
Due to the precautionary measures set up at the NATO Headquarters to limit the further spread of the COVID-19 virus, media representatives will NOT have physical access to NATO HQ. These rules follow limitations on the movement imposed by the Belgian Government since 18 March.
Media coverage
Video and photos of the Opening Remarks will be available online at www.nato.int/ims shortly after the meeting.
The Press Conference delivered by the Chairman of the Military Committee will be broadcasted live on the NATO website. Broadcasters can also request the broadcast quality footage by contacting content@natomultimedia.tv.
Media Participation
NATO is offering media representatives the option to ask questions remotely to the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach during the Q&A session of his press conference. Media representatives wishing to do so are kindly requested to register at eventbrite NLT 11 May 2020 – 12h00 noon (Brussels time).
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
LtCol Götz Haffke, Deputy Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor
Tel: + 32 490 58 06 47
E-Mail: haffke.goetz@hq.nato.int