Munich Leaders Meeting
In addition to the Munich Security Conference in February, the MSC is involved in the international security policy debate with other high-profile formats. Since 2009, the Munich Security Conference has organized Munich Leaders Meetings once or twice per year.
About Munich Leaders Meetings
Munich Leaders Meetings (formerly "Core Group Meetings") bring together an exclusive group of up to 50 high-level participants to discuss current foreign and security policy challenges with particular emphasis on a specific regional context. Meetings take place once or twice a year in different capitals around the world. With debates being held off-the-record and/or under Chatham House rule with a limited group of participants, Munich Leaders Meetings enable an open and interactive exchange between high-level decision-makers and senior experts from around the globe.
Past Events
Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, DC (2025)
From May 5 to 7, 2025, the Munich Security Conference hosted a Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, DC. The event brought together 100 senior decision-makers and experts from both sides of the Atlantic. Since 2009, the MSC has hosted the MLM shortly after the inauguration of every new US administration, fostering a space for informal, confidential exchanges on key issues. The event aimed to revisit the enduring shared interests of Europe and the US, revitalizing constructive transatlantic discussions. Further, the MLM focussed on Ukraine and European security, as well as China, trade, and technology.
A highlight of the MLM in Washington, DC, was the Q&A session featuring US Vice President JD Vance, moderated by Wolfgang Ischinger.
Munich Leaders Meeting in Rio de Janeiro (2024)
From November 19 to 21, 2024, the Munich Security Conference hosted a Munich Leaders Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event brought together 80 decision-makers and experts from all over the world. The discussions revealed diverging views on the global order but also highlighted the potential for greater cooperation with countries of Latin America and the Caribbean – and for collaboration within the region itself.
A Debrief summarizes the key takeaways from the discussions. Participants addressed fundamental questions of global governance reform, strengthening of democracy, how to expand mutually beneficial economic cooperation, and how to address shared challenges such as organized crime, food insecurity, as well as climate change and its ripple effects on global health.
Munich Leaders Meeting in Nairobi (2023)
On October 15 and 16, 2023, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) hosted a Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) in Nairobi, Kenya. More than 90 leaders from over 20 countries, including 12 African states, representing governments, parliaments, civil society, the private sector, think tanks, and universities discussed how to develop a shared vision to advance the rules-based international order and bolster multilateralism.
A Debrief summarizes the key takeaways of the MLM in Nairobi. Four key dimensions emerged as building blocks of deeper, lasting transcontinental relationships: Ensuring a stronger African voice in the international system, forging mutually beneficial partnerships, delivering on international commitments and shared values, and translating words into concrete policy action.
Munich Leaders Meeting in Tokyo (2023)
From May 14-16, 2023, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) hosted a Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) in Tokyo. Approximately 60 high-level decision-makers and experts gathered, including heads of state and government, ministers and parliamentarians from Germany and Europe, the United States, but also from countries of the Indo-Pacific region such as Japan, India, South Korea, the Philippines or the Maldives.
A Munich Security Brief summarizes the discussions in Tokyo, which focused primarily on deterrence and defense in the Indo-Pacific, lessons from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine for other regions in the world, and the strengths and weaknesses of the international order.
Munich Leaders Meeting in Bucharest (2022)
From November 27 to 29, 2022, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) hosted a Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) in Bucharest on the margins of the NATO ministerial meeting. It brought together around 80 high-level decisionmakers and senior experts, including heads of state and government, cabinet ministers, and members of parliament, from Europe and its direct neighborhood as well as from the United States.
A Munich Security Brief summarizes the discussions held in Bucharest, which focused on the "dark clouds over the Black Sea" and addressed the manifold regional challenges emanating from the Russian war of aggression for Southeastern Europe. Participants also discussed the broader implications for the future of the European security architecture, raising important questions on the nature of security guarantees for countries including Ukraine and Moldova.
Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, D.C. (2022)
From May 9 to 11, 2022, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) hosted a Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) in Washington, D.C., that brought together around 80 senior decision-makers and experts from governments, parliaments, armed forces, business, and research institutions from both sides of the Atlantic. The MLM charged participants with taking stock of where they stand at the "Zeitenwende," which presents the world with a wave of mutually reinforcing crises, and articulating ways to shape the short- and long-term future.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine about two months prior to the event, transatlantic partners showed remarkable unity. Building on this transatlantic momentum, the discussions at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, D.C., highlighted the need to develop joint responses to the "Zeitenwende."
The Munich Security Brief "Building a Transatlantic To-Do List" summarizes the results of the debates.
