The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies kicked off today the Senior Executive Seminar (SES) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. With a focus on "NATO at 75: Space and Maritime Domains in an Era of Disruption," this seminar brings together senior government officials and policymakers from across the Euro-Atlantic community to delve into critical international security issues.

“In order to deter and defend, we need to have warfighting advantage. In order to have warfighting advantage, we need to have interoperability so we can make the most out of what we have. In order to have interoperability, we have to build trust so we are willing to work together. This is what this seminar is about,” said Admiral Stuart Munsch, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe and Africa, and Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, who provided the keynote speech.

As the NATO Heads of State and Government prepare to commemorate the Alliance's 75th anniversary at their summit meeting in Washington, the Senior Executive Seminar takes on heightened significance. Against the backdrop of evolving security challenges, including persistent strategic competition, SES is set to explore the global relevance of and challenges to the space and maritime domains for NATO and the wider international community.

“This week, let us explore innovative strategies to bolster our capabilities in space and maritime domains, ensuring our collective security in an era defined by rapid technological advancement and geopolitical uncertainty,” said Marshall Center Director Barre Seguin in his welcoming remarks. “I hope this is an opportunity to challenge ourselves to dive into pioneering ideas and use personal experiences to stretch conventional solutions to these dynamic problem sets.” 

The seminar will address three fundamental questions:

Protecting the Global Commons: How can the international community work together to protect vital resources and ensure unimpeded access to the global commons, particularly in the space and maritime domains?

Upholding the Rules-Based International Order: In the face of growing threats to the rules-based international order, how can NATO and its partners reinforce existing norms and institutions to maintain stability and security?

Enhancing Shared Resilience: How can nations enhance their resilience against the backdrop of persistent strategic competition and a multitude of global challenges, including cyber threats, climate change, and geopolitical tensions?

SES provides a timely opportunity for leaders to identify actionable steps and solutions to safeguard and strengthen the rules-based international order and ensure unimpeded access to the global commons in these two critical domains. 

“You’re focusing here on the maritime and space domains. However, we should understand how important it is to interconnect these domains,” said Munsch. “To win in the future we have to develop in all domains.” 

The Senior Executive Seminar aims to foster a transatlantic and global partner network of senior leaders who exchange ideas, best practices, and viewpoints on pressing security issues. The topics range from assessing strategic challenges, identifying areas of commonality and divergence, to developing concrete ways to deepen existing partnerships in an era of strategic competition.

The SES, taking place 13-17 May, will include workshops focused on international law and global governance, security and defense, partnerships and cooperation, and technology and environment.