At the Chicago Summit, 20-21 May 2012, NATO will drive forward key principles and policies that will shape the Alliance of 2020 and beyond. It will deliver on decisions taken at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010, turning them into concrete programmes and initiatives.
Allies will commit to maintain the necessary capabilities and to developing cooperation and dialogue with partners. And at a time of austerity, it will be a question of striking the right balance between fulfilling NATO’s shared responsibilities and balancing national budgets.
The summit will principally focus on three main themes:
- – the Alliance’s commitment to Afghanistan through transition and beyond;
- – ensuring the Alliance has the capabilities it needs to defend its population and territory and to deal with the challenges of the 21st century; and
- – strengthening NATO’s network of partners across the globe.
NATO is an essential source of stability. In order to maintain its capacity to safeguard the security and values of its members, it needs to continue developing the means to do so and building partnerships beyond the North Atlantic region.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will hold meetings in Chicago from May 20-21, allowing the city to highlight its economic vitality, its arts and architecture, and its can-do spirit.
- This will be the first time an American city other than Washington has hosted a NATO summit.
- About 2,000 journalists from across the world are expected in Chicago to chronicle the events.
For more info visit http://www.chicagonato.org/
