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What is NATO?

PICK A TOPIC AND DISCOVER NATO

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Member countries

The most important players in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are the member countries themselves, called NATO Allies.

There are currently 32 members

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NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”

Basic points

Activities

Working structures

Agencies
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Member countries

NATO has 32 member countries from Europe and North America. These sovereign states, called NATO Allies, come together through NATO to discuss political and security issues and make collective decisions by consensus.
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National Delegations

Each member country has a permanent delegation at NATO’s political headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Each delegation is headed by a Permanent Representative, who acts on behalf of his/her government in NATO’s consultation and decision-making process.
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Military Representatives

NATO’s Integrated Military Command Structure is composed of a number of key actors. At NATO Headquarters, each member country is represented by a senior military officer who serves as their country’s Military Representative (MILREP) on the Military Committee (MC) and acts on behalf of their respective Chief of Defence (CHOD). The MC convenes regularly to deliberate on issues of military significance, including in meetings at the level of the CHODs three times per year.
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Nuclear
Planning Group

The Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) is the senior body on nuclear matters in NATO. It has the same authority as the North Atlantic Council with regard to nuclear policy issues. All member countries sit on the NPG, except France, which has decided not to participate. It is chaired by the NATO Secretary General and usually meets at the level of Defence Ministers.
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North
Atlantic Council

The North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the principal political decision-making body at NATO. Each member country has a seat at the NAC. It meets at least once a week or whenever the need arises, at different levels. It is chaired by the Secretary General, who helps members reach agreement on key issues.
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Subordinate
Committees

NATO has a network of committees to deal with all subjects on its agenda, from political to more technical issues. They bring together national representatives and experts from all NATO member countries on a regular basis.
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Secretary General

The Secretary General is NATO’s top international civil servant. He steers the process of consultation and decision-making within NATO and ensures that decisions are implemented. The Secretary General is also NATO's chief spokesperson and heads the Organization's International Staff, who provide advice, guidance and administrative support to the national delegations at NATO Headquarters.
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Military
Committee

The NATO Military Committee (MC) is NATO’s senior military authority. It serves as the essential link between the political decision-making process and NATO’s integrated military structure. The MC is composed of senior military officers from each NATO member state. The Committee is presided over by the Chair and is supported by the International Military Staff, its executive body.
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Allied
Command
Operations

Allied Command Operations (ACO) is one of the two Strategic Commands within NATO’s military command structure. Based in Belgium, ACO is responsible for the planning and execution of all NATO military operations. It is led by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
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Allied Command Transformation

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is one of the two Strategic Commands within NATO’s military command structure. Based in the United States, ACT leads NATO’s military adaptation, ensuring that Allied forces develop the right capabilities to maintain NATO’s warfighting edge. It is led by the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT).