Stoltenberg: Munich Security Conference must stay in Bavarian capital

The Munich Security Conference should not be moved from its venue in the Bavarian capital, according to Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO secretary general appointed to take over as head of the major international security conference from 2026.

Moving the conference to Berlin, for example, would change its character, Stoltenberg said after a meeting with Bavarian Premier Markus Söder on Wednesday. The conference's success was closely linked to its location in Munich's Bayerischer Hof hotel, he said.

Stoltenberg, who headed NATO for 10 years after serving as Norwegian prime minister from 2005 to 2013, said he was looking forward to taking over leadership of the conference from Christoph Heusgen, who will remain in post to run next year's edition in February.

"The mission of the Munich Security Conference is peace through dialogue," Stoltenberg said, adding that this task was becoming increasingly important in a world "that is constantly becoming more dangerous and less predictable."

Stoltenberg expressed thanks to the people of Munich for supporting the event and putting up with the security measures during the conference.

Söder paid tribute to Stoltenberg's diplomatic skills and said his clear vision would contribute to the conference's success. With Stoltenberg at the helm, it is clear that the event will continue to focus on security and foreign policy, he added.

The Munich Security Conference has been held in the Bavarian capital every winter since 1963 with rare exceptions.