The Hague Hosts the Pivotal 2025 NATO Summit
In June 2025, leaders from NATO member states and key partners will convene in The Hague, the Netherlands, for a crucial Summit. Amidst a more dangerous and unpredictable global landscape, this gathering represents a critical moment for collective security. Allies are set to reinforce their cooperation and unwavering commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, taking decisions aimed at forging a stronger, fairer, and more capable Alliance.
Summit Essentials: Who, Where, When, Why
WHO: NATO Heads of State and Government, alongside key international partners.
WHERE: The Hague, the Netherlands.
WHEN: 24-25 June 2025.
WHY: To address the significant challenges facing the Alliance and further strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.
Key Priorities on the Agenda in The Hague
Leaders at the summit will tackle a range of pressing issues impacting the Alliance’s security and future direction. The core focus remains on ensuring NATO possesses the necessary resources, forces, and capabilities to effectively counter any threat. Key topics expected to dominate discussions include:
Strengthening Deterrence and Defence
While NATO is not directly engaged in conflict, the current security environment is far from peaceful. Instability persists along the Alliance’s borders, fueled by ongoing conflicts. Hybrid threats, such as sophisticated cyberattacks and sabotage targeting critical infrastructure, pose direct challenges to member states. Against this backdrop, maintaining robust deterrence and defence capabilities is paramount for NATO’s security.
In recent years, NATO has undertaken the most significant reinforcement of its collective defence measures in a generation. This includes enhancing readiness and presence across land, sea, air, cyberspace, and even space. Discussions will likely build upon these efforts, ensuring NATO can effectively implement Article 5 commitments and maintain a credible military presence, particularly in the eastern parts of the Alliance, supported by frameworks like the NATO Force Model and the Allied Reaction Force. NATO’s nuclear deterrence policy also remains a vital component of this strategy.
Boosting Defence Spending and Production
A fundamental pillar for building a stronger NATO is increasing investment in defence. While Allies have already stepped up commitments, accelerating and expanding these investments is crucial. This is necessary to ensure national militaries have the required forces, critical capabilities, and supporting infrastructure.
Equally vital is ramping up defence industry production. A robust and innovative defence industrial base across Europe and North America is essential for sustaining and strengthening the Alliance’s capabilities. Increasing defence investment isn’t just about military readiness; it’s positioned as the most effective way to prepare for an uncertain future, deter aggression on NATO territory, and safeguard the way of life for Allied nations.
Enduring Support for Ukraine
NATO’s steadfast support for Ukraine remains a critical focus. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, NATO Allies have collectively provided the vast majority of military aid received by Ukraine – an estimated 99%. Allies have committed over EUR 20 billion in additional security assistance in the current year alone. This long-term support is framed not as a means to prolong the conflict, but as essential for enabling Ukraine to defend itself effectively now and deter any future aggression. Discussions will likely reinforce commitments made under initiatives like the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine.
Beyond the Plenary Sessions
The Summit agenda in The Hague also includes important side events designed to engage different stakeholders:
NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum
Scheduled for 24 June, this forum will bring together Defence Ministers, government officials, and industry leaders from NATO nations and Indo-Pacific partners. Hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Defence and NATO, in cooperation with industry and foreign affairs bodies, the forum aims to identify concrete, actionable solutions. The focus will be on scaling up, accelerating, and reinforcing the transatlantic defence industry, alongside fostering innovation essential for maintaining NATO’s deterrence and defence advantage.
NATO Public Forum
Co-hosted by NATO and the Dutch Government alongside partner organizations, the Public Forum provides a platform for dialogue and engagement. It seeks to enhance public understanding of NATO’s policies, goals, and the decisions made at the Summit. The forum will feature panel discussions, debates, and interactive sessions involving Heads of State, Ministers, security experts, academics, journalists, and young people, covering various summit topics.
Explore More
For those interested in learning more about NATO member countries or the foundations of the Alliance, resources are available. Discover more about the Netherlands, the host nation and a founding NATO member, or delve into the North Atlantic Treaty itself – the bedrock document of the Alliance. You can also test your knowledge of NATO member flags through an interactive online game.
The 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague promises to be a pivotal event, shaping the future of the Alliance and reaffirming its commitment to collective security in a complex world.
