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Chairman of the 46th Munich Security Conference, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger

(© Kai Mörk )

Once again, a large number of high-ranking heads of state and government, ministers and heads of international organizations from all over the world are expected to attend the 46th Munich Security Conference from 05 to 07 February 2010. One of last year's attendees, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, will be among the speakers. In addition to conference first timers Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi as well as Europe's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Baroness Catherine Aston, prominent representatives of the economy are going to join the event. This information was released by the Chairman of the Conference, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, in Berlin and Munich last week.

The slogan of this year's 46th Munich Security Conference is "No more excuses!" Mr. Ischinger's intention behind this motto is to motivate the about 300 high-ranking participants in the number-one global foreign and security policy forum to take action. At the same time, the German top-notch diplomat intends to examine the results of US President Barack Obama's first year in office. In the past months, the representatives of international foreign and security policy, who had ushered in the "political spring" last year, have seen themselves confronted with growing expectations in terms of tackling issues such as Afghanistan, the Middle East or even nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. "Last year's promises are still waiting to be fulfilled and excuses are no longer acceptable," Mr. Ischinger emphasized.

Afghanistan and disarmament are key issues

In addition to discussing the traditional topic of transatlantic and European security architecture, which will be introduced by keynote speeches delivered by German Foreign Minister and Deputy Chancellor Guido Westerwelle and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Conference will focus on the security and stability in the Greater Middle East as well as on disarmament, arms control and nuclear non-proliferation. Mr. Ischinger is hoping for fresh information on the Russian proposal regarding the European security architecture and the signing of the US-Russian treaty on the reduction of strategic arms (START II), which appears to be coming soon. This year's panel discussions will also focus on Afghanistan and NATO's new strategy. These topics are expected to be addressed by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former US Secretary of State and Chair of the Group of Experts on NATO's New Strategic Concept Madeleine Albright, as well as German Minister of Defense Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Among other issues, Afghan President Hamid Karzai will discuss the future of the international commitment at the Hindu Kush with a Pakistani government official and the United States Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke. Following the tradition of previous years, the United States will send a large delegation to Munich. Once again, this group will feature prominent members such as former US presidential candidates and senators John Mc Cain, Joseph Lieberman and John Kerry, or General James Jones, the National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama.