Latvian officials make their way to Munich for annual security conference

The MSC describes itself as "The world's leading forum for debating international security policy," and sees participants giving up a weekend in mid-February to attend. "More than 450 high-profile and senior decision-makers as well as thought-leaders from around the world," will be in Bavaria, the MSC says.

"Topics addressed at the MSC 2026 will include European security and defence, the future of the transatlantic relationship, the revitalization of multilateralism, competing visions of the global order, regional conflicts, and the security implications of technological advances, to name a few," organizers say, though there will also be plenty of entertainment laid on to leaven the mix.

Among the Latvian decision-makers and thought-leaders will be Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže.

President Edgars Rinkēvičs' is a MSC regular and he will make the short trip from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games to participate again.

The President is scheduled to participate in various discussions included in the conference programme, including on Friday, February 13th, the discussion "The New Great Game: Rethinking Information, Technology , and Global Power" organized by the NATO Strategic Communication Center of Excellence and on February 14th, a discussion on support for Ukraine "Ukraine: Futures ' Frontline ".

On Sunday, February 15th, at 10:00-11:15 (Latvian time), the President of Latvia is scheduled to participate in the panel discussion “Europeans Assemble: Reclaiming Agency in a Rougher World” of the Munich Security Conference main programme.

Braže was an early arrival, participating in a discussion with German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul on European security architecture and current foreign and security policy issues on Thursday, February 12th, which you can watch below.

Braže will also participate in a discussion titled Europe strikes back: how to decisively respond to hostile states organized by a British thinktank called the Ditchley Foundation, and other discussions and bilateral meetings.

From February 13th to 15th, Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds will also participate in the 62nd Munich Security Conference, where he will "discuss the main challenges of current foreign and security policy" according to a ministry release.

"The entire event of the MSC 2026 and all its many components will be governed by the Munich Rule: Engage and interact with each other: Don't lecture or ignore one another. Whether on or off stage, we encourage our guests to engage with and learn from each other and we expect all our speakers to stand ready to answer questions and engage with the audience at eye level," the organizers implore participants. 

If you would like to read the MSC's freshly-published 2026 report, you will find it here.