Middle East set as top priority at Munich security conference

Tuesday 27 January 2026 - 14:30

By: Sahili Aya

Middle East set as top priority at Munich security conference

The Middle East will take center stage at the upcoming Munich Security Conference, according to its chairman, Wolfgang Ischinger. Speaking ahead of the annual gathering, he said that discussions on regional stability and the implementation of a peace plan for Gaza would rank among the event’s most important topics.

Ischinger noted that high-level delegations from across the Middle East and beyond are expected to attend the conference, including representatives from Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. The presence of these actors is expected to create multiple opportunities for bilateral and multilateral talks on pressing regional issues.

Scheduled to take place from February 13 to 15 in Munich, the conference is one of the world’s leading forums on international security. It brings together heads of state, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defense officials to debate global challenges and geopolitical developments.

According to Ischinger, Europe’s role in addressing conflicts in the Middle East will also be examined. He acknowledged that the European Union has struggled to exert meaningful influence in recent years and expressed hope that this could change as new diplomatic initiatives emerge.

The conference organizers have announced changes aimed at improving the quality of discussions, including a more selective approach to invitations, focusing on key decision-makers. More than 20 heads of state, dozens of ministers, and leaders of international organizations have already confirmed their participation. Iran, however, will not be represented this year following recent internal developments.