NATO News

On Friday (22 October 2021), at a signing ceremony hosted by NATO’s Secretary General, Defence Ministers from 17 Allied countries* agreed to take the lead on the development of NATO’s first Innovation Fund.

Defence Ministers from 15 NATO Allies reaffirmed their commitment to multinationally develop, acquire and deliver Ground Based Air Defence capabilities, which will protect Allied personnel, equipment and facilities from air based threats. This was done in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers Meeting on 21 October 2021.

The Ministers of Defence from 11 NATO Allies launched three multinational High Visibility Projects to provide CBRN protection equipment, develop and procure CBRN detection and identification systems, as well as potentially establish a network of CBRN defence facilities. The letters of intent launching these initiatives were signed in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting on 21 October 2021.

The International Military Staff (IMS) Gender Advisor team collaborated with NATO’s Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) to deliver Gender Focal Point (GFP) training 4-7 Oct 21 in order to prepare GFPs for their role in the Divisions and independent offices across IMS. 21 participants took part, including one GFP for each IMS division and independent office.

On Thursday (21 October 2021) NATO Defence Ministers discussed how to further strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defence, continuing NATO’s adaption to a more complex and competitive world. Ministers endorsed a new overarching plan to defend the Alliance in crisis and conflict. This will make sure NATO continues to have the right forces and capabilities, at the right place and at the right time, to protect our one billion people from any threat.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (21 October 2021), ahead of meetings of Allied Defence Ministers. Mr. Stoltenberg thanked Secretary Austin for his leadership and the strong commitment of the United States to NATO, saying he looked forward to taking important decisions on the future of the Alliance.

NATO Defence Ministers on Thursday (21 October 2021) will take decisions to strengthen the Alliance’s security and lay the ground for the NATO Summit in Madrid next June. Speaking at the start of the two-day meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ministers will adopt a new set of capability targets for all Allies.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg introduced the agenda of this week's in-person meetings of NATO Defence Ministers in a press conference on Wednesday (20 October 2021). Ministers will take decisions to strengthen our collective security and lay the ground for NATO Summit in Madrid next June.

At the invitation of the Finnish and Swedish authorities, the North Atlantic Council will visit Finland and Sweden from Monday, 25 October, to Wednesday, 27 October 2021.

The North Atlantic Council reappointed Ms. Daniela Morgante, Italian Board Member, as Chair of IBAN with effect from 01 November 2021 to the end of her mandate on 31 July 2023.

On Friday (15 October 2021), NATO and Ukraine held a workshop on the use of hybrid tactics in multilateral diplomacy at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. Organised as part of the NATO-Ukraine Platform on Countering Hybrid Warfare, the workshop brought together decision-makers and experts from government, think tanks and academia. Participants addressed the risks of hybrid tactics, as well as possible responses.

The NATO-Industry Forum is the primary venue for strategic dialogue with industry on NATO capability planning, development and delivery. Sponsored by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Forum is co-organised by Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne, and NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Camille Grand.

On Monday (18 October 2021), NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met with Hungary’s Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics at NATO Headquarters to discuss how the Alliance will maintain its technological edge.

NATO kicked off its annual deterrence exercise on Monday (18 October 2021), with dozens of aircraft from across the Alliance practicing the defence of NATO’s European Allies. The week-long exercise, called “Steadfast Noon”, is taking place over southern Europe, and involves aircraft and personnel from 14 NATO countries.

On 14-15 October 2021, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Robert Bauer, was in Iceland where he met with key Icelandic representatives, including the Permanent Secretary of State, Mr Martin Eyjólfsson, and the Director General of the Directorate for Security and Defence, Ms Bryndís Kjartansdóttir. He also visited the NATO Control Reporting Centre Keflavík (CRC) and NATO Anti-Submarine Warfare Hangar.

On Friday (15 October 2021), at the virtual To Be Secure (2BS) Forum organized by the Atlantic Council of Montenegro, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană praised the valuable contributions that Montenegro is making to the Alliance as well as to greater security and stability in the Western Balkans region.

In light of the progressive relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in Belgium and in accordance with the space available for media and current social distancing rules, (a limited number of) media representatives will be allowed to enter physically the NATO HQ for media coverage purposes as of 1 Sept 2021.

On 14 October 2021, the NATO International Military Staff hosted Partner Nations for informal workshops to discuss a series of topics pertaining to NATO’s new Strategic Concept. This new format, to be held bi-annually, aims to improve the dialogue between NATO and Partners.

On Wednesday (13 October 2021), Ukraine received new medical equipment from NATO’s Pandemic Response Trust Fund to help in the country’s efforts to fight coronavirus infections. NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre coordinated the donation in response to a request by Ukraine for COVID-19 assistance.

On Friday, 15 October 2021, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoană will participate online in the 11th To Be Secure (2BS) Forum, hosted by the Atlantic Council of Montenegro.