The 62nd Munich Security Conference (German: 62. Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz) was an annual meeting of the Munich Security Conference, took place from 13 to 15 February 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference focused on major global security challenges in an effort to bring international norms and stability. The event hosted world leaders, addressed ongoing global security crises and geopolitical tensions, as well as technology and cyber threats, instability in governance, and pressures on the international order.

A protest that took place around the conference in solidarity with the Iranian people and against the Iranian government was attended by over 250,000.

Background

First held in 1963, The Munich Security Conference became over the decades as a leading forum where senior political, military and diplomatic figures can personally address global security challenges. Key themes in the 62nd MSC included: Middle East security, ongoing strategic competition and erosion of international norms amid heightened global instability, and dialogue between world leaders.

Participants

The 62nd Munich Security Conference is expected to bring together heads of state and government, foreign and defence ministers, and senior representatives of international organizations. As of early 2026, the following leading political figures have been confirmed or publicly reported as invited or expected to attend:

Heads of state and government

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Munich Security Conference

Foreign and defense ministers

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference.

International organizations

Other participants

Notable statements

US-Europe relations

As tensions were high between Europe and the US over Greenland before the conference, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio stated, that the partnership between the two must stay strong as they "belong together" in all security aspects.

European defence and strategic autonomy

This issue was addressed by several European leader like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who stated that Europe must reduce its dependency on foreign powers, strengthen its own defense capabilities and be prepared to defend its security and values.

Support for Ukraine

Throughout the conference, long-term security guarantees were made in support of Ukraine, as well as mentions that the U.S. had proposed a 15-year security guarantee.

Zelenskyy called on Europe to set a date for Ukraine's acceptance into the EU and to not take a half-baked peace deal.

Instability in Iran

Ukraine's president Zelenskyy stated that the situation in Iran “must be stopped immediately”, addressing also the continuing supply of drones from Iran to Russia.

Controversies

The invitation list for MSC 2026 has attracted attention and debate. Initially, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his deputy were reported to have been invited, though separate reporting indicates that the conference later withdrew some invitations to Iranian officials in response to domestic protests and violent response by the government of Iran. Instead, former Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi was invited to the conference, who called on the United States to intervene in Iran and "end the Islamic Republic".

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's performance at the conference, which included her inaccurately describing Venezuela as being located "below the equator" and stumbling on U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy issues like those concerning Taiwan, drew widespread criticism, as well as deep questioning of the knowledge that Ocasio-Cortez, who is considered to be a potential U.S. presidential candidate, had regarding foreign policy.

Protests

A protest that took place around the conference in solidarity with the Iranian people and against the Iranian government was attended by over 250,000. Other protests were against war, extremism, and public health policies. On Saturday 14 February 2026, a demonstration of 250,000 people in support of the people of Iran and against the Iranian government, took place in Munich. The demonstrators answered the call of Iran's exiled Crown Prince Phalavi, drawing attention to the situation in Iran.

See also