The 2025 NATO Summit is a historic event to be hosted for the very first time by the Netherlands on June 24 and 25, 2025, at the World Forum in The Hague. It brings together the heads of government and state of all 32 member countries of NATO, most important partner countries, and the representatives of the European Union for debate on pressing security and defense matters of concern to the alliance.
NATO Summit 2025: Host Country and Venue
The Netherlands, a founding NATO member, is hosting the summit for the first time since the organization was formed in 1949. The Hague, famed globally as the City of Peace and Justice, was chosen ahead of other Dutch cities such as Rotterdam, Apeldoorn, and Maastricht. The World Forum facility that had previously hosted the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit is the location of this important diplomatic event.
Key Agenda of NATO Summit 2025
The agenda of the summit revolves around enhancing NATO collective defense capacities in the context of an increasingly riskier international security climate. One of the most important of these is the member nations' pledge to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, a significant increase meant to improve defense readiness and deterrence.
In addition to discussions on how to restructure NATO to meet evolving threats and improve collaboration among allies, a crucial topic for discussion is continued assistance for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Other Agendas:
The June 24 NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, where defense ministers, government representatives, and industry leaders from the NATO alliance and Indo-Pacific partners will discuss how to scale and innovate the defence industry.
The NATO Public Forum, to engage people and promote greater understanding of NATO policy through panel discussion and debate between experts, journalists, and young people.
NATO Member Countries Participating (32 members)
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Albania
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Belgium
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Bulgaria
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Canada
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Croatia
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Czech Republic
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Denmark
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Estonia
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Finland
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France
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Germany
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Greece
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Hungary
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Iceland
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Italy
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Latvia
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Lithuania
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Luxembourg
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Montenegro
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Netherlands (Host)
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North Macedonia
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Norway
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Poland
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Portugal
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Romania
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Spain
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Sweden
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Turkey
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United Kingdom
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United States
Partner and Allied Countries Invited
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Ukraine (represented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
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Australia (Prime Minister attending)
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Japan (Minister Shu Ish attending)
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New Zealand (Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attending)
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South Korea (President attending)
European Union Representation
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European Council President
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European Commission President
All 32 member states of NATO are anticipated to be involved, such as major players the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Hungary, and the Netherlands itself.
The summit will also feature leaders and representatives of partner nations, with New Zealand attending as the sole non-Atlantic partner. Guests include high-profile figures like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among others.
Asian allied countries like Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand are also invited, with Japan's Minister Shu Ish and New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attending.
Scale and Security
The summit constitutes one of the biggest logistical efforts in recent history with an anticipated 9,000 attendees, among whom are about 45 heads of state, 45 foreign ministers, 45 defense ministers, 6,000 delegates, and 2,000 journalists.
Owing to the magnitude and high-profile status of the meeting, there are substantial security arrangements such as additional police deployments and travel bans around The Hague and its environs. Schiphol Airport and surrounding cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam will both face increased traffic and security measures.
The 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague is a milestone moment in the Netherlands and the alliance. It is focused on strengthening NATO's cohesion and capacity in an intricate security environment with a firm commitment to higher defense spending, backing for Ukraine, and deeper coordination among member states and partners. The summit will articulate critical strategic orientations towards the future of NATO in global security.
