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Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session – 19 May 2026

NATO’s highest Military Authority, the Military Committee, will meet on 19 May 2026, at the Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) level. The Chair of the Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, will preside the meeting, with the participation of the 32 Allies, along with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Admiral Pierre Vandier.

During the first session of the Military Committee in CHODs Session (MCCS), SACEUR will brief on NATO’s path to further strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defence. Allied CHODs will also discuss the status of ongoing NATO-led missions, activities and operations.

Following, the MCCS will welcome Mr. Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, for a discussion on the Alliance’s political objectives, priorities and milestones on the way towards the NATO Summit in Ankara.

In the second formal session, SACT will provide an updated overview of how NATO is evolving its Defence Planning Process to better integrate emerging technologies, innovation, and operational lessons, accelerate capability delivery, and help Allies reach capability targets faster, with a force mix better aligned with the evolving character of war.

The third session will be the NATO-Ukraine Council (in CHODs session), when the MCCS, together with the Chair of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC) will discuss with the Ukrainian CHOD (connected via VTC) the current situation along Ukraine’s front lines and beyond, including the global implications of the war. Continued NATO and EU support to Ukraine will also be on the agenda.

NATO-EU cooperation will be the focus of the last session. Allied CHODs, senior authorities and CEUMC will discuss opportunities for a deeper and closer collaboration between the two organizations, across a wide range of issues, from defence industry to military mobility.

CMC, SACEUR, SACT will hold a Joint Press Conference at the end of the sessions.

View the full programme

Media Opportunity

Tuesday 19 May 2026

0800       Livestreamed Opening Remarks by:

• Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee.

1545       Livestreamed Press Conference with

• Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC).
• General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)
• Admiral Pierre Vandier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT)

The press conference is the only opportunity for media to attend in person. Media representatives wishing to attend the press conference who do not already hold a valid, annual pass, are invited to contact the NATO IMS Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (PASCAD) Office via email (pascad@hq.nato.int) with the completed accreditation form (below) no later than 1200hrs (Brussels Time) on Monday, 11 May 2026.

Media accreditation forms

Please download the accreditation form and send it via email with the required attachments: English | French

In case of any issue, please email pascad@hq.nato.int

Once approved, media passes will not be mailed to applicants, but must be collected in person, on the day of the event, at the Guard House South, NATO Headquarters, Boulevard Leopold III, Brussels, upon presentation of a valid ID card / passport, along with a valid national Press pass (or accreditation letter from a recognized media organisation), and a copy of the confirmation email of successful accreditation.

Passes must be always worn visibly during the stay at NATO Headquarters. Security personnel may ask to check another form of ID, at any time. Media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site. Media representatives are also advised to arrive at NATO Headquarters with sufficient lead-time to complete their in-processing.

The opening remarks delivered by CMC will be streamed live on the NATO website. 

The press conference will also be streamed live on the NATO website and the live feed will be provided to EBU.

Video footage will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

Imagery

Following each event, photos, video and audio files will be made available on the NATO IMS webpage www.nato.int/ims, as well as on the relevant event page for the MCCS.

Social Media

Latest information and photos from the MCCS will be posted on the following X accounts: @CMC_NATO  and  @NATO_PASCAD.

Please use the hashtags #NATOCHoDs and #NATOMC when posting about the NATO Military Committee.

Media Enquiries:

Capt (N) Giovanni Galoforo, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor to the NATO Military Committee and the NATO International Military Staff.

Tel: +32 2 707 5983

E-Mail: Galoforo.Giovanni@hq.nato.int

LTC Balkus Tomas, Deputy Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor to the NATO Military Committee and the NATO International Military Staff.

Tel: +32 2 707 1029

E-Mail: Balkus.Tomas@hq.nato.int

Find more background information about the NATO Military Committee