NATO News

NATO Defence Ministers are meeting in Brussels this week (14-15 February 2023) to strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defence, and step up and sustain for Ukraine. Previewing the meeting on Monday (13 February 2023), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted the urgency of delivering key capabilities to Ukraine before Russia can seize the initiative on the battlefield.

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, meet two scientists with a passion for problem solving who have received support from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme.

NATO Allies agreed on Thursday (9 February 2023) to deploy fully-equipped semi-permanent shelter facilities to Türkiye, in order to help accommodate people displaced by the devastating earthquakes of 6 February. NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher G. Cavoli, will direct the effort.

On Thursday (9 February 2023), Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană participated in the conference on ‘Cultural Property Protection and NATO: Experiences, Practices and Trends’, held at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. In his remarks, Mr. Geoană emphasised that protecting cultural property is above all about protecting a community’s identity and its shared history, values and traditions.

On Wednesday 15 February 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will meet with the President of Poland, Mr Andrzej Duda, at NATO HQ.

On Monday, 13 February 2023, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoană will attend the Kick-off event ahead of the 59th Munich Security Conference. The event will take place in Berlin, Germany.

At a joint press conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (8 February 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commended President Biden and the United States for their strong leadership during the most serious security crisis in a generation. "Unwavering American leadership and bipartisan support have ensured that NATO Allies are united like never before," said Mr Stoltenberg.

From 6 to 8 to February 2023, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer visited Albania at the invitation of the Albanian Chief of Defence, Brigadier General Arben Kingji. The Chair met with the Albanian President, H.E. Bajram Begaj, the Albanian Prime Minister, Mr Edi Rama, the Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mrs Olta Xhaçka and the Albanian Defence Minister, Mr Niko Peleshi. Discussions focussed on Euro-Atlantic security and Albania’s contributions to the Alliance. Admiral Bauer also addressed the Albanian Armed Forces Defence and Security College and visited the Albanian Special Operations Regiment.

Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană emphasised NATO’s commitment to promoting the interests of women and girls in defence and security at an event organised by the NATO Science and Technology Organization on Wednesday (8 February 2023). In a keynote speech marking the United Nations’ 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), Mr Geoană stressed that the traditional barriers facing women and girls in science and technology had to change. He said that “in today’s more competitive and very dangerous world, technology is moving at a dizzying pace,” adding that we cannot afford to leave half of the population behind.

NATO’s Data and Artificial Intelligence Review Board (DARB) met on Tuesday (7 February 2023) to start the development of a user-friendly and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) certification standard to help industries and institutions across the Alliance make sure that new AI and data projects are in line with international law, as well as NATO’s norms and values.

Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita at NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (7 February 2023), underscoring NATO’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Republic of Moldova, with full respect for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

More than 1,400 emergency response personnel from more than twenty NATO Allies and partners – including invitees Finland and Sweden – are deploying to Türkiye, helping to respond to the devastating earthquakes which struck the country on 6 February. More than 53,000 Turkish first responders are currently on the ground.

On Monday 13 February 2023, at 13:00 CET, the NATO Secretary General will brief the press ahead of the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence, which will take place on 14-15 February 2023 at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană underlined the importance of investing in defence and innovation at the Leangkollen Security Conference in Oslo, Norway on Monday (6 February 2023). The Deputy Secretary General delivered a speech during the conference’s opening session entitled “Ukraine Holds the Future of Democracy and Security in Europe”.

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times, and NATO has been actively engaging experts, civil society, and other groups to discuss the nexus between climate change and security. On Monday (30 January), the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Regional Centre in Kuwait hosted the first ever discussion with Allied and Partner experts on emerging climate challenges and how to tackle them together.

On 06 February 2023, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye near Gaziantep. At 10:04 UTC, a second powerful earthquake of 7.5 magnitude struck the Kahramanmaraş area. Weather conditions are extreme. Aftershocks continue throughout the affected area. As a result, at least 3,381 people have died according to local Turkish officials. 5,700 buildings have collapsed and many people are trapped. At least 20,426 people have been injured.

On 07-09 February 2023, NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, is visiting Washington D.C. (United States of America).

On Tuesday 07 February 2023, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoană, will receive the Prime Minister of Moldova, Ms. Natalia Gavrilița, at NATO HQ.

On Wednesday 8 February 2023, the NATO Science and Technology Organisation is organising a conference at NATO Headquarters to mark the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This is an occasion to pay tribute to the valuable role that women and girls play in the field of science and technology.

On Monday, 6 February 2023, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoană will attend the 58th annual Leangkollen Security Conference in Oslo, Norway.