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62nd Munich Security Conference

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62nd Munich Security Conference
Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz
NicknameMSC 2026
Begins13 February 2026
Ends15 February 2026
VenueHotel Bayerischer Hof
LocationsMunich, Germany
Previous event
61st (2025)
Next event
63rd (2027)

The 62nd Munich Security Conference (German: 62. Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz) was an annual meeting of the Munich Security Conference, took place from 13 to 15 February 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference focused on major global security challenges in an effort to bring international norms and stability. The event hosted world leaders, addressed ongoing global security crises and geopolitical tensions, as well as technology and cyber threats, instability in governance, and pressures on the international order.

A protest that took place around the conference in solidarity with the Iranian people and against the Iranian government was attended by over 250,000.[1]

Background

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First held in 1963, The Munich Security Conference became over the decades as a leading forum where senior political, military and diplomatic figures can personally address global security challenges. Key themes in the 62nd MSC included: Middle East security, ongoing strategic competition and erosion of international norms amid heightened global instability, and dialogue between world leaders.[2][3][4][5][6]

Munich Security Report

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The Munich Security Report (MSR) is published each year ahead of the Munich Security Conference and provides analysis, data, and graphics on current security policy issues. It is prepared with partner institutions and is intended to inform discussions at the conference.[7] The MSR 2026, titled Under Destruction, examined the effects of political movements that seek disruption rather than reform. It linked their rise to dissatisfaction with democratic institutions, declining trust in reform, and perceptions that political systems have become too bureaucratic and legalistic to adapt effectively. The report said that, across the G7 countries surveyed for the Munich Security Index 2026, only a small share of respondents believed their governments' policies would leave future generations better off.[8]

Participants

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The 62nd Munich Security Conference is expected to bring together heads of state and government, foreign and defence ministers, and senior representatives of international organizations. As of early 2026, the following leading political figures have been confirmed or publicly reported as invited or expected to attend:

Heads of state and government

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Munich Security Conference

Foreign and defense ministers

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference.[9]

International organizations

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Other participants

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Notable themes and statements

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US-Europe relations

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With tensions high between Europe and the US over Greenland before the conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the partnership between the two must stay strong, saying that they "belong together" in all security aspects,[15] a message that was met with relief by many European participants.[16]

European defence and strategic autonomy

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The transatlantic alliance had come under increasing strain during the second Trump administration.[17] The issue of European defence and strategic autonomy was addressed by several European leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who stated that Europe must reduce its dependency on foreign powers, strengthen its own defense capabilities and be prepared to defend its security and values.[18]

Support for Ukraine

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Throughout the conference, long-term security guarantees were made in support of Ukraine,[19] including references to a U.S. proposal for a 15-year security guarantee.[20] Zelenskyy called on Europe to set a date for Ukraine's acceptance into the EU and to not take a half-baked peace deal.[21]

Instability in Iran

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Ukraine's president Zelenskyy stated that the situation in Iran “must be stopped immediately”, addressing also the continuing supply of drones from Iran to Russia.[22]

Controversies

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The invitation list for MSC 2026 has attracted attention and debate. Initially, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his deputy were reported to have been invited, though separate reporting indicates that the conference later withdrew some invitations to Iranian officials in response to domestic protests and violent response by the government of Iran.[23][24][14] Instead, former Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi was invited to the conference, who called on the United States to intervene in Iran and "end the Islamic Republic".[14][25]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's performance at the conference, which included her inaccurately describing Venezuela as being located "below the equator" and stumbling on U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy issues like those concerning Taiwan, drew widespread criticism, as well as deep questioning of the knowledge that Ocasio-Cortez, who is considered to be a potential U.S. presidential candidate, had regarding foreign policy.[26][27][28][29][30]

Protests

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A protest that took place around the conference in solidarity with the Iranian people and against the Iranian government was attended by over 250,000.[1] Other protests were against war, extremism, and public health policies.[31][32] On Saturday 14 February 2026, a demonstration of 250,000 people in support of the people of Iran and against the Iranian government, took place in Munich. The demonstrators answered the call of Iran's exiled Crown Prince Phalavi, drawing attention to the situation in Iran.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Over a million people rally worldwide in solidarity with Iran protests". Iran International. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "10 Days to Go: The Munich Security Conference 2026". securityconference.org. 2 February 2026. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Zelenskyy receives invitation to Munich Security Conference". NV. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Munich Security Conference". European Commission. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Munich Security Conference 2026". Climate-Diplomacy. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  6. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (14 February 2025). "JD Vance stuns Munich conference with blistering attack on Europe's leaders". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "Munich Security Report". Munich Security Conference. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Munich Security Report 2026". Munich Security Conference. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Director of the Office of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi". United States Department of State. 14 February 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Munich Security Conference: Trump's world order hangs over Europe". BBC News. 10 February 2026. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "Al-Shaibani participates in Munich Security Conference, holds meetings on sidelines". 13 February 2026. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Munich Security Conference brings together representatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government". Syriac Press. 14 February 2026.
  13. 1 2 "SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi Meets German Foreign Minister in Munich for Syria Talks". Kurdistan 24. 15 February 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 "Iranian exiled prince invited to Munich Security Conference". iranintl.com. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "Rubio urges revitalised transatlantic alliance in Munich, saying US and Europe 'belong together' | Malay Mail". Rubio urges revitalised transatlantic alliance in Munich, saying US and Europe ‘belong together’. 14 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  16. ↑ "Washington and Ukraine remain centre of attention on second day of Munich". Euractiv. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  17. ↑ Report, Special (17 February 2026). "How the Munich Security Conference 2026 addressed Global armament Implications". The Tanzania Times. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  18. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (14 February 2026). "Starmer stresses 'urgency' of closer defence ties with Europe at Munich conference". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  19. ↑ Kullab, Samya; Burrows, Emma; Morton, Elise (14 February 2026). "Zelenskyy says questions remain for allies over security guarantees for Ukraine". AP News. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "Ukraine wants 20-year US security guarantee to sign peace deal". The Guardian. 14 February 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy denounces Vladimir Putin as 'slave to war' at Munich conference". The Guardian. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Harisi, Mohamad Ali. "Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says Iranian regime must be 'stopped immediately'". The National. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  23. ↑ "Munich Security Conference scraps invitation to Iranian minister". AL-Monitor. Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  24. ↑ "Munich Security Conference chief announces Middle East as top priority". Middle East Monitor. 27 January 2026. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  25. ↑ Latif Dahir, Abdi; Mahoozi, Sanam; Wolfe, Jonathan (14 February 2026). "Thousands Rally for Iran Regime Change in Cities Around the World". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  26. ↑ Fields, Ashleigh (18 February 2026). "CNN panel tangles over Ocasio-Cortez Munich response: 'This is exhausting'". The Hill. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "After First Big Overseas Trip, Ocasio-Cortez Expresses Frustration". New York Times. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  28. ↑ Mallon, Elaine (18 February 2026). "Critics pile on after AOC's Munich remarks". KATV. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  29. ↑ The View (18 February 2026). "AOC Mocked by Dems, Repubs Over Munich Gaffes : The View". YouTube. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  30. ↑ The Economic Times (17 February 2026). "'Made a fool out of herself': AOC called out by netizens after foreign policy fumble in Munich". YouTube. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  31. ↑ "Rekord-Demos rund um Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz erwartet - WELT". DIE WELT (in German). Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  32. ↑ "Waiting for Rubio: Munich prepares for a series of protests". Fakti.bg - Да извадим фактите наяве (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  33. ↑ "Crown prince urges the world to stand with the people of Iran as 250,000 rally in Munich". AP News. 14 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
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