Where will the Munich Security Conference 2027 take place?

The Munich Security Conference 2027 will be held in Munich, DEU.

When does the Munich Security Conference 2027 occur?

The Munich Security Conference 2027 is scheduled for February.

Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2027

Name: Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2027
Start: 2027-02-12T00:00:00Z
End: 2027-02-14T00:00:00Z
Location: Munich

Feb 12–14, 2027Munich, GermanyIn-person

Registration open

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2027 is an annual gathering of international leaders, policymakers, and experts, convening in Munich, Germany. This event serves as a crucial platform for discussing pressing global security challenges and fostering dialogue among key decision-makers. Participants engage in high-level debates and informal exchanges, aiming to contribute to peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.

Committees & topics

Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2027
Security & Defense: Rearmament, Deterrence, and the Future of the Transatlantic Order

Why it matters

The MSC 2027 holds significant importance as a forum where global security priorities are shaped and diplomatic strategies are refined. It brings together a diverse array of perspectives from governments, international organizations, academia, and civil society, facilitating a comprehensive approach to complex issues. The discussions often influence policy directions and international collaborations in the subsequent year.

For those involved in international relations and diplomacy, the conference offers unparalleled insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape. The opportunity to observe and participate in these discussions provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in maintaining global stability. The informal nature of many interactions also allows for candid conversations that can pave the way for future agreements and partnerships.

How to prepare

Preparing for an event of this magnitude requires a multi-faceted approach. Participants should undertake thorough research into the current geopolitical climate, focusing on the key security challenges expected to dominate the agenda. Understanding the stated positions and underlying interests of major state actors, such as USA, FRA, GBR, RUS, and CHN, is crucial for effective engagement.

Leveraging frameworks such as "what-is-stakeholder-mapping" and "dynamic-analysis" can help in identifying the various actors involved and predicting potential shifts in alliances or priorities. Additionally, familiarizing oneself with "engagement-strategies" will be vital for contributing meaningfully to discussions and building consensus. Considering the role of "hidden-stakeholders" and their potential influence on the discussions is also a key aspect of strategic preparation for such a high-profile event.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 4 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Germany

Host nation, emphasizing multilateralism and European security.

Role in topic

As the host country, DEU plays a central role in facilitating dialogue and setting the agenda, often advocating for a strong, unified European approach to security challenges and promoting multilateral solutions.

United States

Key global security actor, often influencing the strategic direction of discussions.

Role in topic

The USA is a dominant force in global security, and its delegation's presence and statements significantly impact the tone and direction of the conference, particularly concerning transatlantic relations and international alliances.

Russia

Critical voice on European security architecture and global power dynamics.

Role in topic

RUS is a crucial participant, often presenting alternative perspectives on European security, arms control, and geopolitical stability, making its engagement vital for any comprehensive security dialogue.

China

Rising global power, shaping discussions on economic security and regional stability.

Role in topic

CHN's growing influence in global affairs means its delegation's views on international security, economic interdependence, and regional conflicts are increasingly central to the conference's discussions.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2027

Security & Defense: Rearmament, Deterrence, and the Future of the Transatlantic Order

The Munich Security Conference has, since its founding in 1963 as the Wehrkundetagung, served as the principal informal forum where transatlantic policymakers debate the state of the international security order. Its security and defense agenda has shifted repeatedly with the strategic environment: from Cold War nuclear posture, to post-1989 expeditionary operations and NATO enlargement, to the post-2014 return of territorial defense in Europe following Russia's annexation of Crimea. The 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked a decisive rupture, prompting Germany's "Zeitenwende," the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, and a broad commitment by Allies to meet and exceed the 2% of GDP defense-spending benchmark agreed at the 2014 Wales Summit and reaffirmed at Vilnius (2023) and Washington (2024). The core dispute today centers on how to sustain deterrence and defense against a revisionist Russia and an increasingly assertive China while transatlantic political consensus frays. Successive MSC Reports (notably 2023's "Re:vision" and 2024's "Lose-Lose?") have warned of a more competitive, less cooperative order. European states are debating how quickly to rebuild defense-industrial capacity, replenish stockpiles depleted by support to Ukraine, and develop sovereign capabilities in air and missile defense (e.g., the European Sky Shield Initiative), long-range fires, and munitions production under the EU's ASAP and EDIP frameworks. Simultaneously, the second Trump administration's renewed pressure on burden-sharing, conditional security guarantees, and questions over the U.S. nuclear umbrella have reopened long-dormant debates about European strategic autonomy and the role of French and British nuclear forces. By 2027, the security and defense file at MSC encompasses several interlocking issues: the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and any ceasefire architecture; NATO force posture on the eastern flank and the operationalization of the regional defense plans adopted at Vilnius; arms control after the collapse of the INF Treaty and the suspension of New START; the integration of emerging technologies (AI-enabled systems, drones, space, and cyber) into national doctrines; and the credibility of extended deterrence in both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theaters. Delegates should expect debate to focus less on whether to rearm than on how to do so coherently, affordably, and without fragmenting the Alliance.

Key players