Munich as a global stage for diplomacy

With over 1000 participants from more than 115 countries, including some 60 Heads of State and Government and over 50 leaders of international organisations, the MSC 2026 is bigger and more international than ever. Only here can you bump into the NATO Secretary General, the Ukrainian President, the US Secretary of State and politicians from all over the world in the lift or in the sprawling corridors of the conference hotel.

In addition, over 100 international think tanks will be represented at a high level this year and will discuss the most important security policy issues at no less than 270 side events. Side events organised by the Federal Foreign Office will set the agenda on key issues also this year, including defence, threats from Russia, geo-economics, artificial intelligence, key technologies and research security.

With the participation of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and numerous other cabinet members, the Federal Government is underscoring Germany’s active role and clear willingness to assume responsibility in a phase of growing global uncertainty in which it is important to preserve our security, freedom and prosperity.

High-level exchange on current security and foreign policy issues

Hardly any other forum offers the chance to speak to so many fellow politicians, members of civil society and security policy practitioners in such quick succession, or to strike up informal conversations with them in the bustling corridors of the venue. This year, the focus will again be on the efforts to achieve peace in the context of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Other issues to be discussed will include transatlantic relations, security in Europe and strengthening NATO, as well as the situation in the Middle East, the future of the international order and the expansion of global partnerships.

The Foreign Minister’s agenda also comprises the traditional meeting with a large delegation from the US Congress. This will provide an opportunity to follow up on the Foreign Minister’s recent trip to the US and his talks with congressional representatives in Washington, DC in January and to continue their dialogue. As usual, there will also be an informal meeting of the G7 Foreign Ministers. This will be the first such meeting hosted by France, which is holding the G7 Presidency in 2026.

Moreover, there will be a wide variety of bilateral and multilateral informal and planned exchange formats. At a panel discussion entitled “Navigating Uncertainty: India and Germany in a World in Disarray”, Foreign Minister Wadephul will exchange views with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on how we can and should act with respect to foreign and security policy in a world characterised by global uncertainties.

This year’s thematic focus: “Under Destruction”

This year’s MSC will focus on the profound geopolitical upheavals that are taking place and is entitled “Under Destruction”. Published shortly before the conference, the Munich Security Report 2026 sets the framework for the MSC and analyses the far-reaching consequences of the rise of political forces that focus on destruction rather than reform.

You can read the full report here .