Press conference by Chair of the Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach following the Military Committee at the level of Chiefs of Defence.

Transcript

Good afternoon and welcome the Allied Chiefs of Defence and I have just concluded a military committee meeting a month away from NATO’s Allied Heads of State and Government summit. There are many topics requiring our attention, advice and guidance. The military committees work ensures our political leadership is advised on all military options and is able to take the necessary political decisions to guarantee NATO’s core mandate, which is the collective security of our 30 nations. Today’s discussion focused on 2030 military strategic planning, adaptation, NATO led operations missions and activities as well as our close partnerships with Ukraine and Georgia. We’re joined by the secretary general Jens Stoltenberg in our first session of the day, He informed the militia committee on progress related 2030 and the main political issues. In the lead up to the summit, The Allied chiefs of defence enthusiastically welcomed the 2030 agenda, which underpins the work of NATO’s military authorities. Following the agreement and adoption of our military strategy in 2019, we have bringing to operational life T2 key supporting concepts, the concept for deterrence and defense of your atlantic area developed by the Supreme Allied Commander for europe General Todd Walters which focused on military requirements we need to deter and defend today. And the NATO warfighting capstone concept, developed by our Supreme Allied Commander for transformation, General Andre Lanata offers a vision to guide the alliance’s long term defense development to remain militarily strong in the future. In recent years, the alliance has undertaken a huge program of adaptation with more modern investments, modern capabilities and increased readiness for our forces to prepare for the future. And in order to guide the alliance’s long term military development. The effects of climate change needs to be considered. Climate change will impact our lives in many ways. But crucially for the Military committee were focused on how it affects common security. The Allied Chiefs recommended a survey on the impacts of climate change and possible consequences across the alliance’s national Armed Forces. From there, the military authorities can further integrate climate change issues and considerations into military planning and exercises. Chief of Defence welcomed the Secretary general’s call for NATO to remain strong militarily and discussed how the development of a new strategic concept could affect allied military planning every day across the alliance and further field our forces on duty, protecting and defending our citizens and our territory on operations and missions. The military Committee received operational intelligence updates and exchange views on the current change challenges facing the alliance. We focus the two missions lead emissions in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Through our near 20-year engagement in Afghanistan, we have helped to build the Afghan security forces and they have now taken the lead in providing security across their country. We welcome the us Taliban agreement in the US. Afghanistan Joint Declaration 2020 and the alliance has gradually adjusted our troop presence As part of the peace process. We have long recognized that there can be no military solution to the challenges Afghanistan faces. And the light of the U. S. Decision to draw down Alice ally decided to start the withdrawal of the resolute support mission Forces. The Chiefs of Defence recognized the challenges involved in this drawdown, commended the operational planning going into the process and discuss the way ahead. Standing together, thousands of our troops from allied and partner nations and from Afghanistan have paid the price. We owe a huge debt to all those who have served our mission. Afghanistan has shaped and strengthen the ability of our troops to work together including in the fight against terrorism and its allies will continue to consult closely on our future engagement with Afghanistan in Iraq in close coordination with Iraqi government is enhancing our presence with our training mission. The expansion of our mission er will be incremental, It will be based on the requirements and consent from the Iraqi authorities and the conditions on the ground and in full respect of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity advising. Training, capacity building activities will now include more Iraqi security institutions and areas in and beyond Baghdad presences, conditions based as the mission’s enhancement, which will be gradual and demand driven. But NATO’s presence in Iraq is a key contribution in the fight against international terrorism to support Iraqi government forces as they fight terrorism and ensure that ISIS does not return. NATO is over 40 partners across the world for the Middle East and North Africa to the Asia Pacific South America and Europe. Each partnership is unique and we tailor our support to meet each partner’s specific requirements and needs. Today’s complex security environment has seen an increase in global security challenges. These cannot be solved by any one nation alone. The alliance is a strong supporter of greater global and trans atlantic cooperation. This afternoon, the Allied Chiefs of Defence met with their Ukrainian and Georgian counterparts. Russia continues to demonstrate a sustained pattern of destabilizing behavior, including its violations of Ukraine and Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Talking to general contact, the Military Committee discussed the situation in around Ukraine and armed forces defense reform in Ukraine. The Chiefs of Defense of the Alliance reiterate their full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and discussed future cooperation in and around the Black Sea. The Military Committee encouraged Ukraine to continue implementing major reforms to build security and development for all Ukrainians. Turning to Georgia. The Military Committee met with General Mattis villi NATO’s partnership with Georgia remains strong and close with Georgia’s contribution to our shared security. George has been a very important contributor to our resolute support mission in Afghanistan and participate in the NATO Response Force. Through our cooperation. Over the years, Georgian force have increased their capabilities and become more effective. We maintain a strong level of practical cooperation including support from our NATO liaison office in Tbilisi and the activities of our NATO Joint Training and Evaluation Center Through our updated substantial NATO Georgia package which has adopted last November there’s a more ambition ambitious cooperation is planned including the implementation of secure communications project. Georgia. Excised in 2022 enhanced cooperation on maritime issues and situation awareness. NATO is a learning organization is always leads by example, as I announced today, the title of chairman of the Military NATO Military Committee will now be replaced by the title chair, noting the power of words. The Military Committee underlines that there are no gender barriers when it comes to holding the position of chair. This gender neutral term is applicable not only to the chair but to the deputy chair position as well. This announcement is supported by a range of work by the NATO military authorities and gender advisers. And over 60 years since the first NATO conference of senior service women officers took place in June 1961. Developing and maintaining high standards for ourselves is crucial and encouraging high standards in other militaries around the world. Is important advancing the integration of women into our national forces and incorporating gender perspectives into her own strategic operational tactical level, strengthens the performance and operational effectiveness of the alliance, 55% of NATO nations have women generals, 60% of NATO member nations of their own national gender training program, 70% of nations have gender advisers, 85% Of NATO nations have all military positions open to women. And 96 of NATO member nations import incorporate gender perspectives into their training and we all use NATO certified gender training. So coordination with NATO Strategic Command Center of Excellence and department heads is key to ensure all of our members have the appropriate tools to enhance their understanding and the importance and relevance of integrated a gender perspective into their daily work. We’ve made progress, but there’s more to do NATO’s policy on gender equality and gender inclusiveness as three key principles integration, inclusiveness and integrity. NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion regardless of gender race, sexual orientation or background. I personally, like for everybody has the opportunity to raise awareness on the gender perspective. To do so, so please seize this opportunity to set an example. The core principle of the Washington Treaty remains as relevant and meaningful as it was when drafted in 1949. We are stronger together. Thank you.